Three Hundred Dollars

The Ankeny First United Methodist Church partners with a small church and school in Malawi. We were fortunate enough to raise enough money to fly Atusaye, leader of the church and founder of the school, to the states for a week so he could meet members of our church. Mark and I are in a small group with our associate pastor so he invited Atusaye to one of our Bible studies. Our group decided to get him a gift, a combination of money and items he could bring back for his family. Mark and I talked for 10 seconds, literally 10 seconds, about what we should contribute. I asked Mark about 30 minutes before we had to leave, "Are you ok with giving him $100?" Mark's reply was, "Yup, that sounds good." I wrote the check out for $100 on our way to Bible study, oblivious to how much this would mean to Atusaye. One hundred dollars was enough, but not too much that we would miss it.

We arrived at Bible study and Atusaye was gracious enough to give his story....for probably the 20th time that week. He explained what he does and how schools and churches are organized in Malawi. His school is not yet funded by the government and it's at risk for being shut down. In order for a school to get government funding they have to meet a number of requirements including a certain number of teachers, desks (30 for Atusaye's school), running water, and electricity. If he didn't meet these requirement in the next few months his school would not only miss out on government funding, it would be completely shut down.

At the end of the night we presented Atusaye with our gift, a couple books and clothes for his 10 month old, some clothes for his wife, and a camera for his family. We also gave him a check for $300, enough to buy 6 desks. Atusaye took a few seconds to process everything and tried not to show emotion. He sat in front of eight Americans, whose biggest worry at that time was what we were going to fix for dinner that night, and broke down. He was so thankful. Unbelievably thankful. Three hundred dollars is a couple of grocery trips for most of us. But to Atusaye, it meant one giant leap towards keeping his school open!

Thanks to Abby for sending Atusaye back to Malawi with a big enough suitcase to carry everything! 

Elliott - 3 Years Old

Elliott has entered the three's fast and furious! He's no long our little boy and he doesn't even feel like a toddler anymore. He's grown up so much. He still loves to play basketball, play outside, ride his bike, play with trains and cars, and watch Chuggington. He can be very sweet with his sister when you are looking, but as soon as you turn your back he's teaching her a new wrestling move. He has quite the imagination and he can talk your leg off with all of his stories. He will ask you questions until you almost can't stand it anymore. One of my favorites "Why is it just why?"

Love Spring

I love Spring. There's something refreshing about going outside in the warm sun after a long winter of being cooped up inside. Vitamin D and Sun Therapy for this family! 

Easter

Elliott, Claire and I made the trip back home for Easter and left Dad at home so he could study. We had a great time coloring eggs, hunting eggs, and spending time with Grandma Linda, Grandpa Jeff, and Aunt Megan. 

Sorting through the loot from the egg hunt 

Coloring eggs for the first time ever

Love these kids!

Happy Easter

Claire and Mommy

Aunt Megan and Grandma Linda 

Friends

FRIENDS

While living in Kansas City I had the opportunity to meet the best group of girls and form friendships with each one of them that I know will last a lifetime. We laughed together, cried together, played volleyball together, and most importantly watched The Bachelor/ette together! We all became friends in a very weird way. Each of us knew two other girls through either work, school, or a boyfriend. We are all very different from each other, but I think that is what draws us all together. 

Laura and I had to wreck our group of 5 when we both moved away from Kansas City last year. But we haven't let distance keep us apart. Thank goodness for technology and group texting! We still stay in touch with each other almost weekly and turn to each other when we need to laugh, cry, or ask for advice. Although it's over phone, text, or email; somehow, it still works for us!  

I love and miss you girls so much! 

Me, Leigh Wagner, Laura Bentsen, Jamie Heath, Megan Hill (soon to be Pederson) 

Claire - 8 Months

Claire - 8 Months 

Highlights

- Two teeth!

- Not crawling yet but she wants to so bad. She's starting to get frustrated when she can't reach something.

- LOVES to talk. So much so that she sometimes likes to wake up at 5:30am and just talk to herself in her crib...for 45 minutes. 

- Starting to say dadada but I don't think she know's what it means. 

- LOVES her brother. She squeals with delight when he walks in the room. 

- My morning sleeper has moved her wake time from 7:30am to closer to 6am. Bummer! It was fun while it lasted. 

Schedule

6-6:30am - awake and 5 ozs

8:00am - breakfast

9:00 - 3 ozs

9:30 - 10:30ish - nap

11:30 - 6 ozs

12:00 - lunch

1:30 - 3ish - nap

3:30 - 6 ozs

6:15 - 7 ozs and down for the night 

Elliott - 35 Months

35 Months

I keep asking myself when I'm going to stop with the monthly updates for Elliott. For some reason I can't bring myself to do it. I love going through pictures of the last month and recalling the time he did or said (fill in the blank). If I stop the updates I think that will force me to come to the realization that he's no longer my little baby boy!

Fun conversations (this boy is full of 'em)

Mom - I think you should put your helmet on in if you are going to ride fast on your bike.
Elliott - Oh, that would be a good choice.

Elliott sitting on the potty while Aunt Abby waits outside for him to finish...
Elliott - Oh, come on poopy.
Elliott - Ok. You can come in now.
Elliott - No, don't flush it.
Abby - Why?
Elliott - Because I went a lot and I want to see it.

While showing a new babysitter around the house we walk into his room, he leans on his bed and says "Sooo, this is where I sleep."

Elliott - Where is Daddy?
Mom - He's in the other room studying.
Elliott - Oh yeah, he's building bridges so people don't fall in the water.
(I am convinced Mark taught him to say this to make his job sound more heroic :)

He has his Mom's taste. He found the most expensive thing in the mall...literally!