It is only Thursday and we have already dealt with a dead rabbit, our cat using Tyler's castle project as a cat box, Sharpie body paint, a disposable diaper going through the wash cycle in the washing machine ON PURPOSE, a playdough fire in the microwave and that is just the big ticket items.

The dog brought much saddness to the family yesterday when Matilda noticed her in the backyard with something little and furry dangling from her mouth.  As she begins yelling at the dog about what is in her mouth everyone has to get involved.  This is the second baby rabbit that has been caught this week.  The other one escaped from the cat and Daddy kindly rescued it.  This one didn't get so lucky.  By the time we got to it, it wasn't doing so good.  Needless to say, it didn't make it and everyone was very upset.

This morning I noticed dirt all over the classroom counter.  Tyler's castle project looked a little disturbed.  After further inspection I realized that Bandit the cat had used it for a potty.   Tyler had filled the box with dirt from the back yard and was building a castle in it.  Bandit normally has to relieve himself outside but must have decided this looked easier and "How kind it was of them to bring the BIG cat box inside for him on such a cold morning!"  So out went the castle.

This weekend as I was moving my upteenth load of laundry into the dryer I came upon a disposable diaper in the wash.  After asking around the guilty child confessed that he had put it in the washer.  "Why?" I asked and the reply I got was "I don't know".  "Do you know where the diapers go?" I then asked,  "Yes, in the garbage", was the response.  "Where did you find this diaper?"  "Downstairs"  " So you took the diaper all the way upstairs, passing many trash cans, just to put the diaper in the washing machine, for no reason?"  "Yep".  Needless to say everyone got a lecture after that one.

The playdough fire in the microwave is stilling filling the house with the most delightful smell.  :-(  and of course we still see the beautiful artwork of the Sharpie body paint, and that just about sums up the week.

Have a great day,  I know I will

Carri

Sorry this is so late in coming but here he is.

Jedidiah James

Born on Leap Day, 2008 at 11:00am

Weighing 10lbs 1oz and 22 inches long

We laughingly call him Bruiser as his entry into the world was a rough fast one and he was pretty bruised upon arrival.

He is precious beyond belief and we are so blessed to have him in our lives.  All his brothers and sister adore him, but Bethany takes the cake.

Here he is with big sister Matilda.  He definately will never lack arms to hold him.

Today was such a lesson for me in why we are doing what we are doing.  After a very long night with my littlest one who is battling croup I was pretty worn out.  The night before had been a night full of contractions and bad dreams and I am so tired I can't remember the night before that.  Days are full of cooking, cleaning, breaking up fights, homeschooling, diapers, laundry, disciplining and discipling.  There are days when I really don't feel equiped to be doing what I am doing.  Today was one of those days.  I tried to count my blessings.  It is an absolutely gorgeous day outside today, the children are all getting along, the child that is struggling the most woke up in a fairly good mood, everyone is so helpful and understanding that we are having the same breakfast for the third day (as we never made it to Costco yesterday and the food is slim pickings) and the list goes on and on.  But mom is tired and the children are sinners just like Mom.  The baby is so sick and cranky.  Mom is hugely prego and cranky and I was really feeling down.  Then I saw some glimpses of why it is all worth it.  As my oldest Liberian daughter comes to me and grabs my hand just to hold it and says Mommy I love you.  As my other Liberian daughter and my bio son help their little sister climb the slide.  As I hear, Mommy will you please watch me (climb the slide, make a goal, hit a ball).  As one of my children brings me slippers outside, (I had run outside to help a hurting child that got a ball in the face and didn't put shoes on).  As I kiss and hug on all my children I get glimpses of heaven and it makes it all good.

Thank you Lord for taking me here and not letting me get away.

Carri

My wonderful hubby bought me a new camera for Christmas.  After having to return the orginal one and get a different one I am finally taking my first official pictures with it. 

This just shows how long it is taking me to get just about anything done outside cooking and cleaning lately. 

Today Tyler and Eliora were playing house and I just couldn't resist taking this photo.  Everyone else is doing great.  We just finished our third week of school.  I got some tips from an expert on workbooks that might help my Liberian children with the phonics of reading.  Everyone is adjusting well and we are getting ready for baby.

I am going to do my best to update a little more often and get some pics on here soon of all the family.

Blessings,

Carri

Okay, I am going to try to update a little.  It has been a long time coming I know. 

We are on our third day of school.  Other than being completely chaotic and crazy everything has been great.  We desperately need to work on reading and I can’t seem to teach more than one of our Liberian children a reading lesson a day.  They all want to read so badly and I am praying for a solution to helping them.

Everyone has been enjoying all the snow.  They are becoming expert snow man makers and snow ball fighters. 

We have gotten the test results for their blood work..  One apparently has Hep C, another is extremely anemic and we will have to follow up to make sure it is because of malnutrition and not something more serious.  Another child has a heart mumur and needs a ultra sound to check on it.  We still have chest xrays to get and eye and dentist appts for all. 

This afternoon we are off to the mid wifes.  I can’t believe it is only 7 weeks till my due date, and anyone who knows my history knows I have never made it to the due date.  We are all very excited about the baby coming.  Most everyone is pulling for it to be a boy but there are a couple girl hold outs.

That is about all the time I have for now.

Blessings,

Carri

Sorry it has been so long in posting.  We have been battling quite a bit of illness plus getting ready and through Christmas.  James is back to work, everyone is doing exceptionally well and I will try to write more later.  Right now I wanted to share this awesome video I heard about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MdQP3OK4s

Blessings,

Carri

Tonight we treated all of ourselves to a night out looking at Christmas lights and we even stopped and got ice cream cones.   All the children were delighted.  Moses has a row in our fifteen passenger van all to himself right now so Bally (our golden retriever) sat with him.  He thought that was the coolest thing at first, then all her heaving breathing got to him and we could hear him repeatedly asking her to stop breathing.  That child is such a crack up.

Everyone was declaring how much they love America.  Matilda finished her ice cream about 15 minutes after we left the drive thru at McDonalds and very sweetly askes for more ice cream (our children adore getting seconds of everything).  After we explained to her that we didn't have any more in the van Dad told her next time he would buy her two and she could put one in her pocket for later.  To which she replyed "Thank you Dad". 

I am really struggling with the girls hair.  They refuse to braid each other's hair (they want Mom to do it) and I just don't know what to do with it yet.  Their hair is very short and is very dry so I am trying to get it in better shape.  Bless their hearts.

Time to go to bed,

Carri

It has been such a blessing to see all the new things our children are experiencing.  From looking under to cook top for the "fire" that makes the food cook to the first morning they woke up to snow.  Everything is so new and I am very proud of these children.  I often think I can't imagine what it must feel like to be them, experiencing all these unfamilar tastes, places, and people yet our children are amazing.  They are doing really well all things considered. 

Our new oldest son is an absolute delight.  He is really embrassing the "American Experience".  He has yet to say no to trying a single food.  He is interested in everything going on around him.  He helped Dad to hang Christmas lights outside the other day in the rain without a single complaint.  He is making our now youngest son rise up in his work ethic.  When Tyler saw Dad and Bill outside hanging the lights he decided he better get to work too.  Bill is incredible good with our little ones and Eliora who is a hard sell is head over heals for him. 

Our girls are delightful, fun and very helpful.  They are really starting to come out of their shells and enjoy things.  Our Agatha has suffered from headaches for years because of an eye problem and we came to know about it several months ago.  We heard how she would hurt and it was very hard to be here unable to do anything to help her.  Yesterday she experienced her first headache in America and I was able to help her.  It was a true honor to care for her, cuddle with her, give her some medicine and watch her start to feel better. 

The girls decided that today they wanted their extentions taken out.  It took us a good hour with all of us except Tyler working on them.  Dad, Moses and Bill even joined in the fun (another thing we found out Bill is good at).  After we were done it was sooo good to be able to see their faces better.  Matilda was delighted to go and really scrub her hear.  She is easy going and has a incredible singing voice.

Moses is Moses.  He is without a doubt hilarious.  He makes all of us laugh and laugh.  He is also having the hardest time getting use to having parents but he is worth all the efforts we are already undergoing.  He has a delightful smile and adorable dimples.  He loves to pretend to preach and is always breaking out in song.

Tyler, Madison, Bethany and Eliora are doing well adjusting to all this.  We have all had our days of being completely overwhelmed but also have lots of good coming out too.

Moses said the other night at dinner "I LOVE AMERICAN FOOD"  as loud as he could.  Of course that night he was having bean soup with no green veggies in sight.

Better run for now,

Carri

Wanted to post a quick note.  Sorry I haven't written in a couple days but I think being 7 months pregnant plus having 8 children is catching up with me.  I have literally passed out the last couple of nights after everyone is asleep.  James is still taking his malaria meds and getting over jet lag, but we are hanging in there. 

It is crazy to think what all of us have been through in less than two weeks.  Anyway, everyone is doing fine.  We have definitely experienced the "Liberian pout" but it worked itself out. 

We did some math placement work yesterday.  I wasn't sure when we would go back to schooling but I need to keep everyone occupied and they seem to really enjoy school work so we will try to get going within a week or two.  Just doing light stuff but getting us in to a routine.

Well gotta run for now, I will try to stay awake long enough tonight to post more.

Blessings,

Carri

Today was a wonderful day.  We gave the children their first showers at home.  Dad did the boys and I helped the girls.  They were tickled with the warm water.  The girls and I went through a few boxes of clothes they had been given to seperate and figure out what fit. 

It was unseasonable warm here which was really nice after yesterday.  The children played outside alot.  We rode with Dad to the post office while he mailed a bunch of letters and packages we had from Liberia.  The boys were fascinated by all the new cars they saw on the road and in the parking lot while we waited for Dad.  They were so good we took them to a little park not to far from our house.  The girls all took turns swinging.  Agatha and Matilda kept asking me to look while they went higher and higher.  All the children are so good with our littler ones.  They spend time with them just cause and help them on the swings and slides. 

They are all very helpful around the house.  Agatha has already started to be my shadow when I am working in the kitchen or around the house.  She is always asking to help and really wants to learn new things.  Both girls loved the washer and dryer. 

I only have one picture so far of all of us and it is at the airport when they first got home.  The crew from the plane wanted to be in it but one of the pilots couldn't seem to get off the phone for it. 

Just wanted to post a quick note saying everyone is home safe and sound.  It was one of the best moments in all our lives seeing everyone come down the airport walkway.  The children are all doing great.  They are wonderful, sweet, kind, beautiful, and we are very thankful to have them home.

I will try to write more later today and maybe post a picture or two.  Everyone is outside right now riding bikes.  It is really cold but that hasn’t stopped them yet.

Have a blessed day,

Carri

James and the children are on the last flight to get them home.  They are all so tired.  James had to carry Agatha from one plane to the last one.  He couldn't get the poor sweetie to wake up.  The other three stumbled from the plane and followed Daddy but he said they were barely hanging on.  They hit severe weather in Chicago and their original flight was cancelled, but they made it through customs and immigration.  It is only by the grace of God that they made the last two connections.  They haven't had anything to eat most of the day.  I could hear the relief in James' voice as they were boarding the last plane. 

The children, my mom and I are heading out in just a few minutes to go to the airport. We are all excited and the children are a little nervous.  The older two are worried about whether our Liberian children will like them. 

I wanted to thank everyone who has left comments in the last couple of weeks.  Your encouragement and caring comments have meant so much.

I will tell you all about the homecoming as soon as I can.

God Bless,

Carri

They are on their way to Brussels, Belguim right now.  I am sure my hubby is very thankful to be on an airconditioned plane.  He has been truly amazing.  I honestly don't think I have heard him complain once about the conditions he has been in. 

James and the children spent some time shopping this morning then packed up and headed to the airport.  James had no problems with any of the paperwork at the airport.  When I last talked with him they were all at the loading area waiting to get on the plane.  James had bought the children a magazine (BBC something) and they were pouring over every page.

James has learned that Liberian's sing before they pray.  He had taken a package to an orphanage yesterday morning and as he was leaving they asked to pray with him.  Right away they broke out into song.  Later on, as the children were preparing to leave the orphanage they were to be prayed for and once again everyone sang a few songs before the prayer.  So last night as James was getting the children ready for bed he asked them if they knew the Lord's prayer.  They all said they did so he started to pray and they started to sing.  He was worried at first about the noise because of other at the guesthouse who may have been sleeping, but the singing was pretty quiet.  He said they were all singing (even Dad) then all of a sudden Moses and Bill were off the bed getting the drums and they all had a great time worshiping.  He said we will have to start our bedtime routine earlier if this is the norm. 

James said he is very happy to be headed home but he was sad leaving his new friends in Liberia.  They have all deeply touched his heart.  It was hardest to leave Jordan and Opalo (sp?) from the guesthouse and little Abraham.  James said he felt like he had been a dad to five new children these last two days as Abraham was always with them.

This morning while I was talking with James he spotted a red headed lizard.  He told Matilda not to scare it because he was going to try and catch it when he got off the phone.  Well Matilda told this to Abraham and he came out and asked if he could catch it for him.  James said yes, and a few seconds later I hear him yelling, "Nooo Abraham, don't kill the lizard!"  I guess Abraham's plan for catching it was to throw rocks at it and kill it then give it to him.  He later told James that the red headed lizards are males and they bite so they only way to catch them is to kill them first.  :-) 

I also had a chance to talk with Agatha today and I asked her if she was scared or excited to be flying home today.  She said "I am happy"

Right now the children here are all working on welcome home signs.  Just a little over 24 more hours and they will be home.    Thank you, Jesus!!!  What a miraculous journey this has been.  I just can't wait to hug them all.

Good night,

Carri

James was able to pick up the children today at the orphanage.  He also took some more pictures and gave out some gifts to the Matrons.  One of our girls had a hard time saying good bye to her friends but the other children took it a little better. 

He is so glad to have them with him.  The children all played soccer with James' new found friend Abraham.  They were fascinated with everything in James' room.  When they called to talk to me, I felt so bad, Matilda kept asking to talk to me and when she got on the phone I could tell she had something important to say but I couldn't figure out what she was saying for anything.  She has always been the quietest on the phone and this was one of the few times she wanted to talk. 

I guess we were wrong on the children's clothes sizes.  They are all swiming in their new clothes.  James said that when he went to put Moses' tennis shoes on he could tell they were way to big, but Moses kept saying "they will fit Dad, they will fit".  So James finally realized later on why Moses kept falling when they were all playing soccer.  It is the very oversized shoes.  :-)  The boys both wanted to wear their new sweats at bed tonight.  He said they have got to be way too hot in the sweat pants that go almost to their armpits.  I guess we are going to have to go buy them all some belts and suspenders until they grow in to their clothes.  I was talking with our neighbor today and told her she will have to watch out for all our children running around trying to hold up their pants with one hand and play basketball with the other.

James and the children meet with the birth families today and it went really great.  They were very nice and extremely thankful for James adopting the children.  They even brought presents for everyone in our family.  James was able to take alot of pictures for the children to have and get address to send letters to the families.  They will be coming to the airport tomorrow to say goodbye and James is hoping to get a few things to give to them. 

The flight tomorrow is at 7:40 Liberian time and they will be coming in at 9:00 on Saturday.  Please pray for them to have a safe trip and to make all their connections.

Blessings,

Carri

James had a busy day in Liberia.  He was out shopping first thing this morning.  He set out to get an outfit for everyone, drums, beads, a nativity scene (I collect them) and a soccer ball for Abraham.  He was able to get all this done in the am.  He also spent a couple of hours with B. Jones, touring his facilities he is building.   Then he had to be at the embassy at 3:00 PM to get the visas.  He was able to get all the visas, then they went to the airport and got all the tickets confirmed.  After this it was off to the copy center to make copies of all our documents.  He was supposed to get the children after that but was told he would have to wait until tomorrow.  He was very disappointed and didn't want the children to be sad so he called a matron and had her tell the children he would be there first thing tomorrow. 

The girls were able to get their hair done.  B. Jones had seen Moses over the weekend and told James that Moses needed to get his hair cut.  James thought this was funny because he doesn't really have all that much hair.  It must be a custom thing and James will take him tomorrow to get his hair cut.

Back here at home we just ran all day.  My mom came over to watch the children while I got some shopping done.  I really thought I was close to being ready for the children to get home, but the closer it gets the more I think of that needs to be done.  I took Madison shopping with me and two carts and a couple hours later we were done.  Then it was back home to unload all this.  I am trying to reorganize some things in the kitchen before everyone gets home and we are super busy.  My mom was so sweet to clean out the fridge for me. 

I also reorganized the laundry room to work for all 10 of us.  I have always had baskets for each person so clothes can just be folded and put in their individual baskets.  Then once a week they put the clothes away.  It took a little work to get all the new baskets to fit but we got it done. 

The whole time James has been gone my littlest one (18 months) has been fighting a cold,  and getting 2 eye teeth and 2 molars as well as having tummy trouble (probably brought on by the teething).  She has really been having a tough time of all this.  She is completely and totally a Daddy's girl.   On regular days she waits for him at the window when it is time for him to come home.  He picks her up and she pretty much stays with him the rest of the evening.  So yesterday when he called I put the phone up to her ear to talk to Daddy and as soon as she heard his voice, her eyes filled up with tears, and her little lower lip started quivering.  Well needless to say we were all ready to cry then.  She kept wanting the phone and each time she would do the same thing.  My heart just aches for her, missing her Daddy so much.

Well, I still have laundry to put away and a couple other chores to get done before bed. 

Have a great evening,

Carri

I was able to talk with James several times today with a great connection which was such a blessing. 

When I talked with him this morning before he left for the embassy he was a nervous wreck.  The driver was running late and James had no idea what to expect from the consular.  We had heard lots of horror stories about her. 

He met the children, a matron from the orphanage and our adoption worker at the embassy.  They waited for quite some time so no need to worry about being late.  He said the children were wonderful.  The girls were dressed in nice skirts and pink shirts, the boys had on dress shirts, (Moses' shirt was even right side out) .  Moses was fascinated by the cold water cooler in the lobby of the embassy.  When they saw the consular she was very nice and helpful.  She approved the visas and said they would be ready late tomorrow.  This means there shouldn't be any problem catching their flight on Friday.  Praise the Lord

After the embassy they all went to lunch.  James said the children were very quiet at the meal.  Moses and Bill had no problem finishing all their food.   After lunch James bought them ice creams for the trip back to the orphanage.  As is the Liberian way they were all crammed in a small car.  James had Bill on his lap on the way back.  When he got to the orphanage he spent some time with the children there and gave out a few more goodies. 

Not long after they got to the orphanage the children's dinner was ready.  They all ran off to eat like they hadn't eaten all day.  This made it much easier on James to leave. 

Tomorrow James is going shopping in the morning and then spending sometime with a friend there until 3:30 when he is to pick up the visas.  Then he will go to the orphanage and get the children for good!!! (Yahoo!!!!!) The girls are getting their hair braided with extensions tomorrow AM.  This is a kind of tradition for girls leaving the orphanage and our girls are very excited.

The generator is out at the guest house today so there were no lights or fans tonight.  He has meet a little boy at the guest house named Abraham that he says is adorable.  He showed him pictures of the family and the little boy liked the picture of our children here at home so much he gave it to him.  He said that he really likes soccer and is excited the boys will be there on Thursday to play with him.  He made sure that James knew he didn't have school on Thursday and would be there all day.  James is hoping to get Abraham a soccer ball tomorrow while he is shopping.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for my husband and our children.  Thank you, Lord for all you are doing and have done.  There aren't words that can say how blessed we feel right now.   

More tomorrow,

Carri

James spent most of today at the orphanage where our children are.  He was very excited this morning when I talked with him before he went but said he was nervous too.  He wasn't sure what to say or do when he first saw them.  He was also taking packages, letters and goodies for other children.  He was up bright and early and ready to go but had to wait until after 10:00 am to leave.  He found out why when he got there and the children were still in school. 

He said when he first got to the compound it looked deserted.  Not a person to be seen then two girls come running out of one of the buildings they were driving past and one of the girls was Matilda.  He yelled to her but the driver didn't slow down until he was all the way across the compound.  By the time the car stopped all the children were running to him.  He said they are all just amazing children.  He is totally in love with them all. 

It was of course pretty crazy alot of the time he was there, with the handing out of things, getting measurements of some of the children and hugging and delivering special messages to some.  By the way,  he will get the measurements to me soon hopefully, but wanted everyone to know they aren't exact.  One of the ma's helped him to get the measurements and he said she was pretty loose with the tape. She said that is how it should be done so they have room to grow. 

He tried to get time alone with our children but it was quite a challange.  Matilda, Moses and Bill were all talkative but Agatha was real quiet.  She was also the one that didn't want to leave his side.  She stayed with him nearly the whole time, holding his hand and smiling.  He said they all had the cutest way of holding his hand and taping on his arm to get his attention.  Most of the time it was to introduce him to a friend or show him something.  When Moses was called to eat he even said it could wait, which from what we hear about Moses is a really big deal.

All the children were very sad when he had to leave and one of our girls cried as he got in the car.  He said it just broke his heart to leave them there.  He found out later that he could have taken them back to the guest house for the night, then taken them to the embassy directly with him.  He wanted me to pass that on to others in case they don't know either and miss the chance to spend a night with their children. 

He also went to the deaf orphanage for a short time.  He was able to hand out some goodies there.  We had such a bad connection I am not sure if he got measurements there of one of the girls he was hoping to see.  He is going to try to get back there to take more pictures.  He didn't have our digital camera with him at either orphanage and will be taking more pictures later this week. 

The visa appointment is tomorrow at 9:00 am Liberian time.  We are praying that the consular will be merciful and issue the visa's quickly as the embassy is closed on Thursday.  They are scheduled to leave Liberia Friday and so we need her to be willing to give him the visa's Wednesday or Friday. 

So I was thinking today that with him meeting our four children first it make things even.  I have gotten to know our first four bio babies before him.  I have felt them move before him.  Felt their first hiccups.  Had time to bond with them for quite awhile before he did while they were in the womb.  Now he has the opportunity to get to know our four adopted children for awhile before I do.  He has gotten to see them, touch them, and hug them first.  Isn't that pretty cool???

Have a great evening,

Carri

James landed in Liberia about 2 1/2 hours ago.  He had a much better flight from Brussels to Monrovia than he had from JFK to Brussels.  He got about 4 hrs sleep on the flight feeling alot more human now. 

When he called me the first time he had just gotten to the guest house.  They were laying out a bunch of food for him so he had to go.  He called back about a half hour later and we were able to talk for quite some time.  He said the trip through the Monrovia airport went so smoothly.  One of the adoption workers had sent an airport employee in to meet him at baggage claim.  They were able to negotiate through the airport and security with no problems.  The adoption worker, a driver named Dixie and several others meet him outside and helped him get his luggage loaded in the car.  The driver went to a type of store? and got James some SIM cards for his phone.  Then they headed to the guest house.  They would have had to stop at the embassy and register James but he had done it online before he left so that saved some time. 

He said the guest house is in a gated area.  When they arrived the driver got out and flashed a flashlight at the gate several times and the gate was opened.  It was dark at the guest house and several people were in the house waiting for them using flashlights.  Once he got there they started the generator and said it will be running until 1:00 am then it will be turned off and there will be no lights or fans. 

There was quite a spread of food layed out for him which he shared with the others there.  He said they wouldn't let him take his dishes to the sink which was only a few feet away.  He felt  bad just leaving his dishes there and walking away but didn't want to offend anyone. 

He has had no problem understanding anyone there.  Everyone has been very nice and when I asked him if he felt safe he said he did. 

Tomorrow he will be going to the headquarters to meet with another adoption worker and go over paperwork.  Then he will be headed to the orphanage.  He is planning on having our new friend B. Jones go with him to help him with pictures and handing out letters/packages.  He said he is very excited and a little nervous about seeing the children. 

Neither one of us can believe that in just a few short hours he will be able to see and touch and hug our children.  He will be calling me in the morning Liberian time and then when he gets to the orphanage and I will post updates as soon as I can.

James is a little over three hours away from Brussels.  He's flight was delayed a bit in New York but he shouldn't have a problem catching his flight to Monrovia.  He is hoping to find a way to call me from Belguim but we will just have to see.

He was able to get a hold of the adoption worker in Liberia and verify that she is coming to pick him up.  He will be staying at the ACFI guest house so that means no air conditioning, but he seems okay with it.  I am sure he will deal with it way better than I would.  We had talked in the past about becoming missionaries somewhere in Africa, but who am I kidding.  So much of me would love that but I am totally wimp when it comes to the heat.  I would be the grumpiest missionary on record.

The children and I had a good day.  We got some things done around the house,  and even went to the train museum for a train ride.   We had rushed to the train station to not miss the last ride after we talked with James in New York so we weren't looking our Sunday best and wouldn't you know it but they were filming a segment for the local news.  Not only did they film in our train car but filmed me and all the littles.  It is supposed to air on the 11:00 o'clock news.  I can't decide if I should try and catch it to see how bad it is or just ignore the whole thing.  What's that saying "ignorance is bliss"?  It might just be better to not know how scruffy we all look on camera.  You know it never fails that you run into someone you know when you are least hoping to, but come on!!!

Well time to put the littles to bed.  Have a wonderful night.

Carri

James has left for the first part of his trip to Liberia.  He is only flying a short distance tonight and staying with some friends so he can get on a flight to JFK tomorrow.  Our little airport just can't get him where he needs to go in time to get to Brussels.

So tomorrow he will leave Vegas at 7:30 and fly to JFK, then on to Brussels (which is 9 hrs ahead) then on to Monrovia.

The children and I almost had the opportunity to spend the night at the airport.  James had locked up the van and put the keys in his jacket pocket when we got to the airport.  I had left my purse, wallet and phone in the van and only had a camera.  If it hadn't been for a very thorough search by security, which held him up just long enough for me to realize I didn't have any car keys.  We would have been begging people for enough changes to call my sister to drive 60 miles round trip to our house and back to bring me another set of keys.  Needless to say we were extremely thankful for the tight security check.

Don't let all the smiles in the picture fool you.  Although we are excited to have our children coming home we had a very tough time saying good bye.