Thursday, March 31, 2011

Children's Bible

If you are in the market for a children's Bible, Scott & I would recommend the Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers his name - Sally Lloyd-Jones
Lloyd-Jones connects all the stories to Jesus. It's covenant theology in storybook form for our children...and I learned a thing or two as well!

Thank you Nonnie & Papa!

Lots of Stuff

We went to an air show this weekend down by the ocean. We had a good time and although there aren't any airplanes in the picture below we wanted you to see how important it is to find shade in the DR. Have you ever seen people stand in a line of the shade from a palm tree??? or even a powerline post??? It's quite humorous when you first see it, but you quickly learn to line up in the shade yourself! :) Matthias turned 4 months this week and enjoys his exersaucer. Stephanie and Andrew gave this to us when we had Adeline. Matthias, however, is our first child to get to experience it with batteries in it!

Well he doesn't enjoy it all of the time...
Since figuring out that my kids truly enjoy time with mommy without their siblings, I've been making it a priority to have "dates" with them. Darton and I went to a nearby pasteleria (bakery) for our date. He only looks at the camera these days when HE WANTS TO!

I got to have a date all by myself on Tuesday night. Two months ago I was fired up to be a mommy of 3. Now I JUST WANT TIME BY MYSELF! :)
The International Women's Club held a night activity where we went to listen to two ladies who own a school here. I even put on my boots ;). (pic courtesy of Darton)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Blessings Tea for Matthias





This morning some of my Christian sisters (most missionaries) gave Matthias a tea to honor his birth and I asked them to individually pray over him and pronounce a blessing over his life. My blessing for Matthias for these past four months has been that he be a bearer of God's Word. Some of the women said a similar blessing as well as that he would rest in the plans God has for his life, that he would be a man known for his obedience to God, and others. It was a beautiful time, as you could imagine!Miss Betty saying her prayer
Please feel free to add a blessing for our sweet Matthias.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Grandmommie & Gdad

My parents came to visit us last week and we thoroughly enjoyed their stay. Friends have commented on how short my parents' stay was and I've learned that an American vacation is very short compared to other parts of the world.

Visit to the North Coast
Natural fruit juices are a very popular drink in the DR. Most restaurants carry fresh orange juice (jugo de naranja) and fresh limade (limonada). When the season is right, you can also almost always order fresh passion fruit (jugo de chinola). The word chinola is a much better word for a passion fruit. I expect a sweet drink when I hear "passion fruit," but jugo de chinola is the exact opposite. In fact chinola is undrinkable without added sugar. For some reason we have a beer picture of Adeline and Darton, so I figured we might as well keep 'em going ;). If I haven't told you, Matthias smiles all the time! Bad days are impossible since I have a son who smiles at me every time I talk to him!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Adeline's Ballet Recital Part2


Two things to watch for in this video.
1. Adeline push her way through to make sure she gets her spot.
2. When the princessa exits the stage.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Adeline's Ballet Recital

Adeline had her ballet performance last weekend and thankfully my parents were here for it. Matthias and I went to practice every day with Adeline. Darton stayed with Ana. I hired her all week so that D woudn't have to endure hours and hours of waiting on his sister. I learned something new about my dominicanas this week.
Time in the latin community is....well I don't have the word for it. You are expected to show up on time for things such as school, work, and church, but to all other events you start getting ready at the time the invite states that the party begins. It is safe to say that you will still be one of the first ones at the event if you show up an hour late. Therefore, the director of the ballet studio EMPHASIZED that we much show up on time. Adeline's practice for 3 out of the 5 days was from 2:30-7p. A good 2/3 of the moms we present by 3p the first day. The director walked in at 3:30p. The second day of practice there were a few less moms who arrived promptly and again, the director arrived at 3:30p. By the third day we had all learned our lesson. Don't show up before 3:30! I was impressed that so many of the moms strived to be there on time because it was asked of them. It was quite rude of the director to ask promptness of us with her not arriving until 3:30 and practice to not even begin until 4p. I learned that dominicanas can arrive on time if it's expected of them. But if the jefe doesn't abide by the rules, then don't expect others too.
Adeline loved posing. Adeline is 2nd in line.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Agua de Coco

Last Monday Sarah was barking up a storm and I went outside to find a man in the lot behind us cutting coconuts off the tree. It was a great show for my parents who have been in town this week. The man LOVED getting his photo taken and in this first picture he is cutting down a limb so that I can get a better view of him to take a photo! (I didn't ask him to cut the limb.) More than likely he has never seen himself in a picture. I'll get copies made for him. Nice pose!

Making his way down the tree.He let a few coconuts fall in our yard to enjoy agua de coco (coconut water). I learned after taking this video that there are 3 stages to the ripening of a coconut. These coconuts only had the liquid to enjoy. As they ripen they will have the water and a slimy inner coating to eat. The last stage is the dry coconut that I posted videos of last week.


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Theo Opening Coconut Part3


Finally it's time to eat! Gracias Theo!

Theo Opening Coconut Part2


Theo is removing the outer shell of the fruit of the coconut. The white part is the edible fruit.

Theo Opening Coconut Part1


We have coconut trees in the yard behind us and we regularly receive coconuts in our yard that have dropped from the trees. Here Theo is opening a dry coconut. There isn't any coco water in a dry one, but only a hard "flesh" to eat. This is the first of 3 videos.