From Our Family to Yours...

Looks Guilty

Mommy: Myriam, what are you eating? Did you eat chocolate?

Myriam: (with chocolate smudges in the corner of her mouth) No.

Mommy: Are you sure you're telling me the truth?

Myriam: (shakes her head yes)

Mommy: I won't be mad if you tell me the truth but if you lie to me I'll be very upset.

Myriam: I didn't do anything.

She then turns around and starts to walk away from me 

WITH THE EVIDENCE STUCK TO HER BACK!

I only needed to say "Myriam" and she redirected her steps to the wall sit without me even asking. 

Looks guilty. Tastes guilty. Found guilty.

10 Things About Our Weekend

This is what happens when the weekend was supposed to look one way, then 

the sick kids changed the itinerary.

It began early Thursday morning with the littlest princess blessing mommy down the front of her followed with another crowned one Friday night and into Saturday morning with the oldest royalty. The prince has managed to keep from catching this bug, but at this rate things may 

change by the time I publish this post. 

Mommy and Daddy tag-teamed the clean-up and demands of those not feeling very well, but it left us no time to prep for a planned family party on Sunday. 

If you come to our front door the remnants of blasted diapers will greet you and the piles of sheets, towels and blankets will be found around the corner that need to be folded after washing. 

His Heart is Overseas

No matter how many times Tim travels to Cambodia, it's always these images that break me as a human, a mother and someone with a huge heart. This girl speaks so many things even though not a word was spoken. Her eyes tell stories; her location gives way to her reality. She doesn't know any different; may never get the chance to see past her village walls. 

And yet, what you do see is joy; contentment; family. 

It is in almost everyone you meet that shares this hospitality and love. 

The purpose of this trip was to support New Life Church in hosting another marriage conference with speakers, Hans & Star Molegraaf, from Marriage Revolution. Last fall Hans flew with Tim and I, fell in love with the people and was quick to say yes to another conference. Before this conference, there was a little bit of getting a lay of the land as both Star and Erik Vanderpol, employee and friend of Tim's, had never been to this side of God's creation. 

Just Laugh Mom

Sunday afternoon Tim and I hosted a simple Christmas dinner for the YWAM staff here at home. To make life easier, my parents took the younger girls and requested an overnight sleepover. 

Sure. Sounds innocent. 

Yeah, not so much. 

Our guests left and I quickly checked my phone to see how the little ladies were doing. I believe my initial response was something like, "OH NO!" I think Tim thought something much more terrible had happened. 

"I only left her for a minute," said Mom with tears. 

I'm not sure who or what she was more afraid of; my response or how it would be fixed.

There is no recovering from something like this. 

Let me reminded you all too, this is the third offense with the scissors. 

The first time HERE. The second time HERE.

I quickly called Mom and hearing the terror in her voice, I reminded her to laugh because in the process of this horrific act being committed, no one was 

sliced or diced with the craft scissors and somehow it will grow back. 

In Myriam's defense, she was trying to look like Nana which she accomplished quite well.