Sledding!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend!




Last Saturday we took the kids to "Highpoint Hill" to sled. It's a soccer field behind a school that makes some great sledding hills in the winter - and tons of people go there. Saturday was REALLY cold, so it wasn't very busy and we got a ton of runs in that way:o).
Elie is independant enough this year that she would sled all on her own. Jadon's not quite there yet, but did say later that soon he will want to practice going down alone:o).
We had a few races and did a couple of "train" rides together and basically just had a ton of fun!

Favorite Mornings

Getting up for school has proven to be a challenge for my amazing kids who used to stay in their room/beds until 8:30am. Now the alarm is set for 7 sharp, and until this week I've had to go in and gently wake them up after the alarm has given up on them:o)... Breakfast was a solemn affair with sleepy kids. Now, though, it's so fun!


We have sweet smiles...

A lot of laughs...

Even cuddles and affection!

One of the many positive things we have noticed about the kids being in school is that their time at home is sweeter, less fighting, less arguing and way more grins and giggles... even more cooperation in getting into trouble quietly. They genuinely miss each other and look forward to their times together. I love how this comes out at breakfast time!!

Coffee Business is Up and Running!

Bryce and I had a dream from years ago that has now taken life!! Along with our friend, Brett Elder and his wife, we have launched givehalfcafe.com, a website selling free trade coffee that every time you purchase half the profit goes toward building wells in Ethiopia.

We are teaming up with Senai Global to make this possible. Drew Harding grew up in Ethiopia and continues to make trips back. Check out his website (linked above) to find out more about his amazing ministry.

Our coffee is roasted right here in Grand Rapids by people we've come to know through this adventure and who we feel share our same values concerning how the farmers are treated, as well as our love of excellent coffee:o)!

Please visit us and check out our product - every time you buy your coffee from us you're a part of changing lives on the other side of the world, by investing in clean drinking water!

I apologize for the sporadic way posts have been put up lately... I'm not sure what's going on with my blog, but it's been extremely difficult to post.

Anyway, we recently made the leap from homeschool to "big" school as the kids call it:o). Here are a few pictures of our first days...







After finishing Kindergarten with Elie in December we decided to go a different route for January. Both kids have been enrolled at Countryside Elementary and are just loving it! Jadon is in school twice a week for two hours at a time, and I have to admit, I really enjoy the break:o). He absolutely loves being a big kid, and his teacher is amazing with her class. Both kids have excellent teacher that we feel so grateful to have them with.
Elie is thoroughly loving her time too! She is at the top of her class and whips out homework in no time. She's made several friends already and begs to be aloud to take the bus:o) - however, we live literally two minutes from school, so mom drives. We may even walk when the weather gets warmer.
We're in our 3rd week, and still adjusting to the new schedule. The kids have been pretty tired out at the end of each day. Getting up before the sun makes them feel like they are up in the middle of the night:o)... even though it's only 7am! Elie's class starts at 8:25 each morning, which means that with all the gear (snow pants, boots, indoor shoes, gym shoes (not to be confused with the indoor ones), hat, mittens, backpack and homework) she needs to be there by 8:15 to change and unload. Jadon's class doesn't require so much, as they don't go out on recess, and he doesn't start until 9am. The extra time with him has been a treat. I am enjoying this chance to focus so much attention on him alone.
We feel extremely blessed to be where we are. The school is very conservative, and while it's a public school and has to adhere to State standards regarding religion and prayer, the teachers open talk of praying for students and encourage them to share what they're learning in church if it's brought up. It seems like everyone here goes to church, so I guess that makes sense! They are very big on expecting and teaching Biblical principles regarding behavior and conduct, even in they can't spell out where it comes from.
This change was a huge one for us, but we feel like God led the way and opened doors for each step. It's been wonderful!

Oh, and yes! I would still homeschool!!! It was an excellent experience and we feel it gave the kids a head start. We are very open to homeschooling in the future as well. We feel pretty privileged to live in a place that has ample positive resources for both choices of schooling.

From Homeschool to "Big" school!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Playing with our new camera

I'm trying a few new things out. Below is a post with a new program we're trying... let me know if you like it:o). I'm also using our new camera, just testing what it can do and having fun... so the pictures are all scenery, nothing spectacular... but hopefully fun.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas Fun

Our camera finally went kaput, so most of our pictures are on my phone, which I have yet to figure out how to download... so pictures will come later.

We did, however, have a fantastic Christmas with my parents. The 10 days they were with us flew by. Starting with a quick day in Chicago, where we picked my parents up from their train trip. My Mom then took Elie, Kaya and I to lunch at the American Girl Place - an experience that is SO worth having!!! To see Elie's little face fill with delight when her doll, Kaya, was presented with a plate and cup was priceless. She also got to take Kaya to the salon and got her little hair styled exquisitely. The people were so incredible with Elie, from the doll hair stylist to our waiter and the shop helpers, all talking to her as if she were in charge and making her feel important.
My Dad took the guys to the Lego store and out for some Chicago style pizza, before meeting us back at the American Girl Place. Because of impending blizzard-like snow storms we chose to leave Chicago early and headed back home.
We made a quick trip to Shipshewana to eat at the Blue Gate restaurant and see the lights when the weather broke. After that we pretty much just holed up at home, creating and baking all sorts of treats. Elie got sick and my mom had to make a quick trip to the urgent care on Christmas Eve, but Christmas day everyone was pretty much back to normal and we basically spent the day playing with presents and eating in between making dinner and napping. For dinner we had ham, creamy poletna, potatoes fontina, corn pudding, Christmas salad, and stuffing - it was a feast!
While my parents were here we also took them to Frankenmuth on the Eastern side of Michigan. There we took them to see Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland, which is a monstrous sized store full of everything Christmas. And then we ate at the Bavarian Inn - an incredibly yummy place to get Bavarian food (and shop)!

The 30th came way to quickly. We packed up my parents and headed back to Chicago to get them on the train for their 3 day journey back to Portland, Oregon. There were lots of tears on the car ride home to Grand Rapids.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We miss you!!