France vacation

We spent three weeks at Entrepierres, which is a ministry retreat center for people working in French speaking countries. It was a wonderful time of relaxing and enjoying His creation.  You can check out their site at http://www.pierresvivantes.org/

There are not many places you can go in Mali and get real rest, esp with four kids. This was a low key three weeks that did allow for just that, rest. I am so grateful for the time, esp as I knew I was heading into a year that would be tough for me as I began homeschooling. 

France isn't good on our kids' ears, though. Dawson had almost constant ear infections our year there. Kenan always has them anywhere. Haven started with one in Paris and it wouldn't clear. She and Kenan were on high dose antibiotics for weeks. Haven got very used to having her ears looked at. As her shirt says, she was adorable.

They had one of the rainiest weeks in the summer while we were there so our family was in heaven! We loved the rain and the kids loved playing in it.

It was even cold enough to light a fire one day. Did I mention it was summer? So awesome! Thanks to our friend, Saskia, a former colleague from Mali, who was visiting with us for having the determination to really get it going and keep it going. 

                                    

One of my favorite parts of our time there was walking through the valley of the mountains. It was so gorgeous and the Lord spoke to my heart. I may have been singing to the top of my lungs and looked a little crazy but it was a special time. 

Haven found out how fun a swing can be on this trip. She loved it. I loved seeing GRASS!!

Brett's mom and step dad joined us for a week as well. It was great to spend time with them.

Brett had us go hiking one afternoon to get to this special place on the mountains. I've actually forgotten what we were supposed to find. Whatever it was, we didn't find it. We just climbed up and up and up. It was way more than I (his mom and step dad and our kids) were planning but it was really neat. Everyone was thrilled to look down at the towns below and see how far we had come.

We also did some rock climbing while we were there. The boys are standing at a fort in front of the area where you climb. The part of the mountain with the small vertical openings is where they climbed. They also practiced shooting arrows at enemies attacking the fort at Sisteron. (right)

We also got to visit with dear friends from our days in Charleston. Our old neighbors moved back to France a year or so after we left (Philippe is French and Shannon might as well be :). It was so fun getting to spend time with them.

Part of what makes being with the De Vivies so fun is that our kids are so close in age. Shannon had Juliette only weeks after I had D. Max was born two months before Kenan and Chloe was born a couple months after Silas. (Somehow they didn't get the memo about a fourth) :)

So thankful for all the friends and family we were able to spend time with during our time in France.