Hospitality

The character card that we drew for our focus last week was 'hospitality'. It was perfect timing as we had plans to spend some time getting to know a family from our church and then friends we knew from our time in Michigan arrived on Saturday.

The Smiths just recently moved to town as Todd is now on staff at our church as graphic artist and curriculum developer. How exciting does that sound?! Also sounds like hard work! With 16 children's books to his name, we are just beginning to learn how deep his talents run. Every week our children hear the same message from the Word of God in their Sunday school class as we receive from our preaching pastor in sermon. Todd develops fantastic visual arts, take home devotionals, and hands-on teaching tools to reinforce the message each day following. Our church is tremendously blessed and grateful to have Todd join us in ministry! We look forward to getting to know them better and pray they feel at home and loved here.

Dave and his daughter, Erin, stopped in on their 16 day road trip. Unfortunately, Mama Jenn had to stay home for work, but what a joy to meet 2-year-old Erin for the first time and catch up on life with Dave. God has done amazing things through this family. We are encouraged by their Kingdom focused hearts and just know that God has exciting things on the horizon for them.

We were so blessed by our fellowship this week - what a joy to practice hospitality and draw closer to the true nature of Christ.

No More Peas In The Nose Please

Okay, last night was interesting....Zane has a hole in his alveolar that goes straight up through the floor of his nose. This will be there until his bone graft surgery, around five to six years of age. For now, we're going to see food and liquid escape from his nose, but we expect this to improve as his palate becomes full functioning and more teeth come in allowing him to chew his food better.

Because he has food traveling up to the nose, we saline and suction prior to putting in his nose stent before bed each night. He has learned to accept the nose stent and is quite cooperative, but irrigation is no fun and it takes me and Eric together to get the job done. Well, I've done it on my own a handful of times, but it's much easier with Eric's help.

So last night, I go to suction and no air moves. Eric and I said in unison, 'Whoa!' After more saline, suctioning and filling up a couple tissues of rice, carrots and chicken, out pops one whole green pea! Yakkkkkk - poor baby! But he can breathe now!

I still got a bit more rice and carrots out this morning - oh my! Here's hoping things improve...I guess it's good to know that the hole is large enough for a pea to travel through.

As for other cool tricks that Zane can do, today he cruised the length of the couch while holding on! That's a first and he knew he was big stuff!

Returning

Looking forward to returning to WOLFESONLINE! I've been posting these past months on Zane's site...everything from our China trip, settling in at home, and Zane's first surgery. I've added a few more posts and videos there recently, but it won't be up for much longer, actually just 24 hours more. Hope to get a few more things posted before closing it down and heading back over here to blog more about Elle and the rest of the family too. See you soon!

Family Pics

My dear friend, Aimee, took pictures of us at the park a few weeks back. She did a beautiful job! What a joy to be four and to have pictures of Zane, so handsome and perfect before surgery.

Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

There was a 'monkeys jumping on the bed' incident this past week at Aunt JJ's house. Don't know for sure, but I believe Elle was jumping on Ami's bed and fell off. 'My pinky toe hurts', she cried, but her entire foot and knee swelled. She says it doesn't hurt anymore, but is still limping four days later. I think it's still bruised and stiff. Hopefully the pedicure Aunt JJ and Michaela gave her will continue to work its magic.

This is Elle's first injury not caused by us. ;) Sorry baby!

Happy Gotcha Day Elle Mae-Li!

It was three years ago today that Elle was placed in our waiting and ready arms! It seems like just yesterday! Such wonderful memories of that day...holding our precious Elle for the very first time and soaking her all up. Today we remember and give thanks for His perfect provision. We also celebrate the lovely little girl she is and joy in her sweet spirit.

Today we also celebrate our niece, Ami, who traveled with our dear Elle in coming home to Chris, Jocelyn and family. What a privilege to have witnessed her arrival - we are so proud of you, Ami Jo-Li!

In honor of Elle today, we re-told her Gotcha Day story a few times, had a tea party, wore pig-tails, went out to eat for her favorite food (chip-mole), and gave her another charm to add to her bracelet. This was the first year that she really appreciated the bracelet. It was fun to see her so excited about her 'Special Sister' charm.

We love you Elle - you are a perfect gift from God!

Fun with Elle

Elle is a lot of fun...

Has her favorite shirt that she would wear every day if I let her.
Getting into the accessories - headbands, pony tails, necklaces, etc...
Loved her first experience with creme brulee. After her first bite she hugged and thanked us. LOL!
Playing in the backyard on her own - collecting sticks, dandelions and swinging, all by herself and so proud. Of course, I have an eye on her at all times.
Writing notes with her colored pencils on her pads of paper.
Counting to 12.
Knows the alphabet.
Working on writing her name.
Adores tea parties - likes lemon zinger and pepermint tea best.
Jumps off anything - even backwards off things.
Climbs the wall at the park.
Eating apple off core.
Enjoys reading books.
Pooh is her favorite video.
Eats and savors all foods.
Loves playing 'ball catch' with Dada.
Falls right to sleep at nap time and lately has been sleeping about 1 1/2 hours. I think Zane may be wearing her out.
Excelling with her words and sentences.
Treasures song time with Mama and sings with all her heart.
Learning John 3:16

Favorite shirt & 'Elle' socks from China, Tea with Grandma W's china, Apple off the core