Nanny and Pappy's visit Part 2

(The first two pictures were taken at Fort Christmas).

Adele checking out where the homesteading family washed and got ready for the day.

Mom and the kids on a front porch of a homesteading home.

I love this picture of my Dad sleeping as Adele "reads" to him!

Thanks to Grammy and Grampy, we were able to spend a couple days at their condo on the beach. It was SO nice and my parents enjoyed the beach life...I wasn't sure they would! Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got from our time at the beach. We ate at South Beach Grill before heading home.

We were trying to find cheap things to do in the area and Paul reminded me of Fort Christmas. So, we took a trip out there and saw old Florida homesteading homes as well as Fort Christmas, pictured to the left.

The kids enjoyed seeing all the weapons and artifacts displayed in the fort.

We also traveled out to the Canaveral National Wildlife Refuge but didn't see much wildlife...only a skink. We did go to Manatee Cove Park on Merritt Island and some many manatees. So, it wasn't a total bust! Again, I don't have any pictures from that day.

All in all, we had a nice visit...thanks for coming to see us Nanny and Pappy!!!

Pappy and Nanny's visit

My folks traveled down to see us a couple weeks ago. When you have a newborn, it's always good incentive to get the grandparents to visit!!!

We had a really nice visit with them. Mom and Dad enjoyed the kids and the kids enjoyed them...they are still missing them a week later!

Mom found a porcelain tea set for Adele and so immediately they had a tea party (pictured below).

I requested some apples from Way's Fruit Farm near State College, PA. Mom brought me two HUGE bags of apples (the cost was just over $7...and here in the grocery store apples are selling at over $1.50 per pound!) and so apple pie baking was underway the day after they got here! The kids enjoyed helping Nanny peel the apples with her cool apple peeler from Pampered Chef (I also requested she bring it along too, for it makes the work of peeling apples much easier..and more fun!)

Our Weekend

Well, there are some firsts to record here for Elizabeth's sake. Today was her first Sunday in church. Here is a picture of the kids...yes, we were running late, but I still snapped a quick pic...that is why no one is really looking, except Calvin who has inherited Paul's photogenic-ness. And yes, Elizabeth was NOT happy...I woke her up from her sleepy slumber and she was livid...and hungry! But, here it is, her first Sunday getting dressed up and worshipping the Lord who created her and has given her life. What a joy it was for me to join my family in worship this morning.

And yesterday, we headed off to Cocoa Beach for the afternoon. The kids had a blast boogie-boarding and Daddy had a blast surfing. Elizabeth and I just hung out on the beach...she slept and I watched the other three making sure no one was getting sucked away! I am so proud of Adele who is honing her boogie-boarding skills...she still has to get swimming down (as you can tell from her swimmies on her arms) but she's well on her way. Of course, the boogie-board is not called a boogie-board rather it is her pet dolphin who is teaching her how to surf. Quite the imagination that one!

Calvin also enjoyed the waves as did PJ. After a while out, Calvin came in and we threw the frisbee disc around a bit...and the PJ and Daddy joined him.

And, this was Elizabeth's first trip to the beach outside the womb. She loved it. How do I know this? Well, she slept the whole time!





Adele experienced a first as well this weekend. She was invited to a Princess Birthday Party for her friend who turned 4. She was SO excited to go to this party. It was all she talked about all week. Each girl was to dress up as a princess and since we don't really have any princess dresses we made Adele into a blond headed Thai princess...I think she's beautiful...what do you think?! She had such a wonderful time!

Well, that's all for our weekend! School starts tomorrow...and Paul's full load starts on Wednesday. Prayers are appreciated!

More Elizabeth

I know this picture is a bit blurry, but I love Adele's facial expression whilst looking at her baby sister.

Elizabeth giving the Asian "V" for victory sign!



Another shot of Elizabeth.

Grammy meeting Elizabeth for the first time. Grammy and Grampy traveled down to meet her two days after she was born! We were delighted to see them!

Then, we got to see Grammy again late last week as she stayed with us two nights...she brought Teddy along this time...and the kids LOVED having him around. She read them stories both nights and Teddy was sure to listen in as well. Thanks so much Grammy for making the trip down and staying with us. We so enjoyed your being here.

Elizabeth had her second doctor's appointment today. At first the scale read that she weighed 5lbs. and some odd ounces. At first, my heart stopped (she weighed 8lbs. 5 oz at birth) and wondered what was wrong with my baby and how did I NOT notice this drastic weight loss? Then, reason kicked in I told myself, there's no way she weighs 5 lbs...she's definitely more chunky than she was two weeks ago...and sure enough the scale wasn't reading accurately because of the way they had it positioned. So, her actual weight is 9lbs and .05 oz. She is getting bigger every day. They really are so small for only a short time.

She is doing well with sleeping at night. She does wake up at least one time, usually twice but then she's back to sleep..and so am I!

We're gearing up to start our school year on Monday. We'll see how it all goes with a newborn and all...and I am starting a certain 5 year old in Kindergarden this year! And, I am almost certain his nearly 4 year old little sister is going to want to do school, too, so basically I'm going from one to three this year with a newborn to boot. Yeah, it should be interesting..but God's grace is sufficient. I am trying to loosen up and remember why we homeschool and keep the important things important and all that other stuff...well, it's just stuff.

Elizabeth Ann Henry

Here are some newborn pictures of Elizabeth and our family. Elizabeth Ann was born at 8:48am on Thursday, July 28, 2011. I will share more in a later post...but for now, here are some pictures for your enjoyement!

40 weeks

Today is the due date. I really hate that we are given a day, a given 24 hour period in which our child is supposed to come. All of my children have come right around their due date...none of them came on the actual day given them. I am hoping this one is different! For some reason, I am so impatient with this pregnancy. Yeah, it might have something to do with the fact that I was up throughout the night last night with steady but non-progressing contractions. I was sure that by 6am I would be well on my way to holding a newborn...but no, here we are at 2:19pm and still no baby. I am fairly bummed and discouraged though I am thankful for my friend, Lisa, who reminded me that I am close...so I need to keep that perspective and remember that in God's good timing, this baby will eventually come!
Pray that I would be patient!

Showers of Blessings

[Brittany with Calen.]
[Careth with Lincoln.]

[Pictured from left to right, Pamela, Mrs. Kemp, Catherine. Catherine is our good friend who is home from Thailand for the summer...her trip to visit with us coincided with the shower...it was a blessing to have her there as well!!]

[Pictured from left to right, Andrea, Leigh Anna and me.]



Look at all those diapers...and the CUTE blankie! Can't wait to swaddle baby in it!

Adele and Anna Maria enjoying the morning playing.


[Lisa, one of my dearest friends, with the watermelon baby carriage she made! Isn't it adorable?!]

My sisters at Reformation OPC gave me and our baby a baby shower a few weeks back. I was approached by my dear sister, Lisa and I said, "no, there's no need for a baby shower...but I have had prayer showers in the past...I would love that." So, she had a prayer/diaper/wipes shower for us! It was a wonderful morning of fellowship, joy and prayer as we wait on this newest Henry baby. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends at church and so thankful to God for the many ways in which He provides.

[Pictured above from left to right, Brittany, Annie, Joy, Kathy and Rocio.]

Our church has had somewhat of a baby boom the past year or so. We've added at least 5 babies in the past year or so (that I can recall!). It was so fun to have a few of these precious babes at the shower.

Here is what we prayed for and please feel free to add some of these to your prayers for our family as well!

*comfort, peace and perseverance during the final days/weeks of your pregnancy.

*a safe and smooth labor and delivery- peace and calm for you.

*rest and strength for you in the early weeks of Baby's life.

*Baby's baptism

*Baby's faithfulness to the Lord

*Baby's growth in Christ

*Our family as we continue preparations for our return to Thailand.

*the strength of our marriage as Paul and I adjust to the new baby.

*time management as I continue to homeschool

*Paul as he continues his studies at RTS.

*PJ, Calvin and Adele as they adjust to Baby.

PJ's 8th Birthday

As usual, these pictures are from last to first! PJ received a new bike for his 8th birthday. He was totally surprised and unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of him riding it. Up until this point he has had training wheels on his old bike. He got on his new bike and took off...never fell off once. He LOVES it and we are so glad...because we weren't sure!

Paul blindfolded PJ while he went and got his "big" gift from us. Calvin and Adele did great with not spoiling the surprise when it came through the door.

Grammy and Grampy got him a cool LEGO set and he's had fun putting it together and playing with it this afternoon.

Not pictured is what my folks got PJ...and that is a butterfly habitat along with a bug magnifying glass. After he received those gifts in PA, he noticed that the same manufacturer had these vests for sale. This was his one request for his birthday...that we get him a vest. So, we searched and searched and finally found one. He LOVES it and has worn it all day long. He has put his binoculars, magnifying glass, butterfly badge and a lizard in the pockets already. He is quite pleased with it. Our little entymologist. I pray this interest will lead him on many facinating adventures.

Calvin built PJ some LEGOs...and PJ was so sweet and appreciative of the effort.

And, in true form like his dad, PJ requested I make a cherry pie instead of cake for his birthday. So, when Paul took PJ fishing this morning, Calvin, Adele and I set to work making a cherry pie and homemade pizza (his other request). I don't know if you can tell, but I made a number 8 and we put 8 candles on the pie, but we soon found out that a pie coming out of a 425 degree oven quickly melts candles! So, we sang fast and got the candles out fast...and now we are enjoying cherry pie!

Here's a picture of Calvin and Adele helping make the pizza dough.

And, here's Adele helping cut in the shortening for hte pie crust.

It was a great day celebrating the life of our oldest child. My prayer for this year is that he would grow in his love for our Lord and in serving others in love. Happy Birthday PJ!

PS- a big "thank you" to Grammy, Grampy, Pappy and Nanny for your gifts. He loves them all!

Reconnecting

While we were in Pittsburgh, I finally reconnected with an old college friend, her name is also Dawn. It was the week of visiting women named Dawn, I suppose! Anyway, Dawn and her husband, Martin, were dear friends of ours in college. We served together on a ministry team to inner city Atlanta...if you're familiar with Little 5 Points then you know the area where we went every Friday night. We hung out with people from all walks of life and I learned a whole lot about loving the lost through that ministry.

Dawn and Martin moved back to the Pittsburgh area several years ago and since we've been back from Thailand they've always been on my list of people to see while in PA, but it hadn't happened yet...until this trip. Dawn met up with the kids and I at a nearby McDonald's...this McDonald's is actually home of the Big Mac Museum. There was a ginormous Big Mac in the children's play area (my camera ran out of battery power and I didn't get a picture of it, sorry!). We had a great time catching up and Dawn saw my children at their worst...and she was so gracious! About a week later, we saw Martin and Dawn again at the church where Paul shared about his time in Thailand and preached in the evening service. It was so great to see them again and to see that they are seeking to follow Christ. We have hopes of reconnecting again, on our next trip north! We surely can't let 11 years go by again!

[PJ took the picture for us!]

The Weaving of Friendship

[Pictured to the left, Adele with her adopted Nana and Mimi along with babies Abby and Bekah]

[Pictured below are the Eichelberger children and the Henry children]

I am going to try to do some posts on our time in PA. We had a great visit, though, as always, it went by way to fast. And, this time I was exhausted a lot of the time trying to keep up with my three kiddos sans Paul! I was never so glad to have him back home again!!!

[Pictured to the left, Dawn with baby Abi, I think!]

One of the highlights from our trip was a mini-trip the kids and I took to Pittsburgh area to visit a family we have grown to love and know over the past four years. The Eichelberger family is a member of Calvin PCA which is one of our supporting churches. Four years ago Paul (the dad of whom I have no pictures!!!) flew out to Bangkok with some others from his church for a short term trip to work with our team. I remember the strength of character in this man and his wife, Dawn, as they waited on God because right before the team left the States, their four month old had emergency surgery!!! God led Paul to come to Thailand and baby Eliab (now 4 years old) recovered and did great while his Dad was on the other side of the world. So, over the course of the past four years, we have spent time here and there with the Eichelbergers and mostly have conversed via emails and through partership meetings and things of that sort. I met Dawn for the first time when we came home from Thailand two years ago. I immediately felt comfortable around her and enjoyed hearing her godly wisdom...as she had 5 children at the time..and now has eight!!! (I'll get to that soon!) So, I didn't see Dawn again until this past November when she and Paul came down to Chattanooga for Mission to the World's Global Missions Conference. She was pregnant...and I was too, but didn't know it yet! We had a few hours together with our husbands and once again enjoyed chatting but it just wasn't enough time. So, when I knew I was heading to PA I thought how nice it would be to go and spend some time with the Eichelberger family. I had only met two or three of their children and I wanted my kids to get to know their kids. Also, PJ and their 8 year old, Nate, have been pen pals for the past six months or so. Dawn must have been thinking the same thing because just as I was about to email them about coming to visit, I received an email asking if we would be able to come and visit!

And visit we did! The kids and I drove down on a Wednesday morning and stayed until Thursday afternoon. We had a wonderful time...and again I was so encouraged by Dawn's love for her Savior and for her family. Dawn gave birth in March to twin girls!!! It was so fun to hold these baby girls, Bekah and Abi and to meet the other six children, five of whom are boys! Yes, my boys had a blast playing!

Dawn's mom and Paul's parents all live together there on the property as well. So, we got to spend time with them as well. Adele took right to Mimi and Nana and became instant friends. She was also quite taken by the babies...and I think it helped to get her ready for our baby!

As I reflect on our friendship with this special family I marvel at God's weaving of lives together. He is so good to give us family in His church. It astounds me that God could bring two families together on the opposite side of the world and keep that friendship going over the course of years! Paul and I have truly been blessed by the friendship of this family and we thank God often for them.

butterflies

We're pretty crazy around with catching butterflies. PJ became obsessed with butterflies last summer while we were visiting PA...and his obsession has only increased over the past year. The first several pictures were from one of our first butterfly catching excursions early in the Spring of this year. PJ couldn't wait to go and catch a Zebra Swallowtail (as seen in his net). Calvin and Adele also enjoy the thrill of the hunt...but haven't quite figured out how to actually capture one.

For PJ's birthday, my parents got PJ this buttefly habitat. He loved it, of course and has filled it time and time again with different butterflies. Pictured here are two different types of Swallowtails he caught in PA.

And, PJ also enjoyed an afternoon of freedom with our camera! So, what did he photograph? Yep, butterflies. Here are two monarchs that hatched out and are feeding on milkweed. He didn't do too badly of a job capturing them!

37 weeks +4

Well, the countdown, though it's been on for a while, has officially begun. I could safely go into labor any day and the baby would be fine...according to medical science. I won't be too sad if our baby decides to be an early bird...I'm ready to meet him or her!

This is our fourth child. With that said, you would think I would know a little bit more about what it means to have a baby and all that jazz. But, just like with Adele, I think this baby is going to have me thinking I'm going into labor only to psyche me out. Just Friday night I thought we might be having a baby...but nope, no baby. Contractions were fairly intense and went on for a prolonged period. To be honest, I didn't time them (this won't come as a surprise to some of my friends!) but they dissipated and I'm still here, with child!!!

Our other children are also excited and Calvin asked me when the baby is coming. Adele thinks the baby is coming on PJ's birthday which is Saturday (the 16th). PJ is hoping the baby does NOT come on his birthday and Calvin has prayed that it does! Kids...it's funny what they come up with!

I am having this baby, Lord willing, at a Birth Center here in Central Florida. I am really excited about this new endeavor...I've had all the others in hospitals. Granted, the hospital in Bangkok was GREAT and was set up with a natural birth suite...complete with a birthing tub! (Virtually unheard of here in the safety conscious USofA). So, this experience will hopefully be a good one. If I am honest, though, there is some fear, not about having the baby at a birth center but just about actually having another baby. I don't think that fear will ever go away. Even though I've had three healthy, fairly easy births, you never know what might happen and one can't assume all will be well just because all has always been well. I certainly appreciate your prayers.

Above is a picture of a LEGO PJ made for me...a preggo LEGO, that is!!!