Things they say

One of my favorite things of going to the States is seeing how the boys react.

We get into an American airport and they see an escalator and they are terrified. After the first couple of times they are running around on them like it is Disney World.

Kenan: Can we ride the escavator again?

We let them pick a bag of chips to eat while we were waiting for our last flight to Raleigh. They chose Cheetos and Kenan asked if he could kiss the bag.

When Dawson saw a water fountain he looked at it and then looked at me with a sheepish grin wondering if he could really drink the water. He was thrilled when I said yes.

They loved playing in the bathroom with the automatic flush (that they were afraid of) and the automatic water and dryer.

When we walked out of the airport in Raleigh they all shivered and Kenan said, "Ooh, it's cold season!"

The next day when it was still cold Kenan said, "Grandma, why is it cold season again? How come, it used to be warm at your house?" (remembering last summer)

K: When washing his hands, "Why is the water so cold?" (after coming from near boiling water in the afternoon or evening in Mali)

Kenan: You need to tell grandma not to put the dog outside. It’s too cold. I think if you get too cold you can get sick and die.

Kenan: Grandma your toilet isn’t normal

Silas, when looking for the flush on the top of the toilet: No flush? "No fwush…No fwush"

Silas kept looking at Caroline and saying, "Ca va? Ca va, ca va"

Enjoying the little things on furlough like watching me mow the lawn and vacuuming a carpet

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter here in the States.

Here we are dyeing eggs.

All he used was blue. He just dropped his in and then took it out. Repeat. Until he spilled all the blue on the floor.

I don't know who enjoyed them more, Papa or Kenan. :)

Caroline came to watch

Easter morning. It was a beautiful spring day. Brett, my dad, and I went to the sunrise service which was very nice. We then came home to take some pictures. The boys were so excited to go to church. They ran in shouting, "He is risen! He is risen! He is risen indeed!" A memory I hope I never forget.

Me and my boys

Dawson learned to go all the way across the monkey bars just the day before.

sweet love for daddy

all my handsome boys

this is Silas

Kenan and his best bud Grandma

I think he was trying to pout but he looked precious

Waiting for the easter egg hunt

Dawson took our picture

This was one of my favorite Easters. Our former pastor, whom I've mentioned before, gave me a deep love for Easter and showed us what it meant to rejoice in the day. I have missed being with him on Easter and seeing him praise the Lord from the top of his lungs. This year we were at North Ridge and it was simply amazing. We walked out overflowing. Incredibly worshipful service. Such a great last week before coming back to Mali. What a blessing. It was an honor to worship in His presence. So thankful for a wonderful day to celebrate our Risen Lord. All that week Dawson had me sing "He lives!" before bed. What a great song to sing again and again!

Meet Caroline

Meet the new addition to the family, Caroline. The boys wanted a dog and I said ok as long as it was a girl. Didn't want any more testosterone in this house. :) She's my girl I never had. She stayed with my parents for a few months before she made the long trip out here with us.

To say the kids love her is an understatement.

The poor girl was worn out after her trip to Mali.

However, she wasn't stupid- she went right into the boys' room when they were going to bed because we had turned on the A/C.

We kept moving her out but she would find her way back in the room just to cool down.

Thankfully she is adjusting well. She seems a little cooler each day. She is getting used to Jeremie and Bocar. She is a good guard dog. She even keeps grown men out of the yard because they are afraid of her. :) She does bark, but never bites. She is a sweetie.

Children's Museum with Mémère

While my mom and I went to a ladies' retreat, Brett's mom came up and helped watch the boys. They all had a good time.

On the way to the Children's Museum Silas was crying. Dawson was a good big brother and held his hand to make him stop.

Driving the fire truck

Which will he choose? Fireman?

or Veterinarian?

Roasting marshmellows

The boys saw marshmallows and wanted to roast them over a fire.

Brett enjoyed his and all the ones the kids cooked. I'm personally not a huge fan unless they are between chocolate and graham cracker (even then I'd still prefer just the cracker and chocolate) so Brett had to do his fatherly duty of eating the leftovers.

Trying to get Dawson's

They really liked putting them so close to the fire that they burned and were totally black.

Regardless, they had fun!

It's always fun (and messy) at Grandma's house

Grandma's house is always full of fun things. The messier the better.

The finger painting fireman

And then there is shaving cream. They played with this several days. No matter what it is- mud, paint or shaving cream, my boys like to cover themselves in it.

On the second or third day of shaving cream, it moved to the swing set which they covered in shaving cream as well.

'