twister!

This is one of the more successful attempts at Twister!

Aubree and I are always trying to keep the kiddos entertained with creative new games and activities.  Typically we have the children all running races while acting like goats, cows, and chickens or doing all sorts of exercises that end with all of us laughing hysterically.  Today was a special treat when the kids noticed that Aubree had a bag with an actual game in it!  While Aubree was home for Christmas her mom gave us an old Twister mat and board.  It was complete chaos the first few rounds but after awhile the kids finally got the hang of how to actually play Twister.  To shake it up a bit we even tossed in putting your nose, head, and bottoms on certain colors--we had the kids literally in knots!  I think the pictures show just how much fun we all had!

The younger kids turn--which turned into a giant pile!

Even Natamara joined in on the fun!

Notice the beautifully colored wall!

While sitting in Chambrun the other day I had to just laugh.  Natacha's mud home had been colored with some red and blue crayons.  I guess it doesn't matter if you live in Haiti or Indiana--kids typically prefer walls to paper!  

Natamara, Rose, and Kris--they look pretty innocent.

When together I think they could be trouble=)

back in Haiti!

After a crazy busy few weeks in Indiana I'm happy to say I'm back in Haiti!  I'm always amazed at how quickly the weeks go while I'm in Indiana spending time with my family and friends.  There never seems to be enough days in the week or hours in each day to see each person I want, go to the places I need to, and eat all the food I miss while I'm in Haiti.  I love everything about Christmas and loved getting to spend the holiday with my family.  My nieces, Madison and Caitlin, were quick to catch me up on all the details about their Elf that magically moved around the house, the count down until Santa, and everything else they thought I had missed out on.  My youngest niece Ava now loves to smile and laugh which had this Aunt wrapped right around her little chubby fingers.  I was blessed to have a lot of time just "being" with my family.  I find the moments that I value the most aren't when we are rushing from one thing to the next but rather just staying home and spending time with each other.  At the end of my trip, the good-bye's are never easy and the reality of missing out on a lot of fun family moments is just hard.  And yet, I feel blessed to be back in Haiti.  I was welcomed back home with lots of loving hugs and kisses and everyone (literally) wanted to know how my family and friends were.  I was greeted by all of my little friends with hugs and of course the fight over the space on my lap began immediately=)  To say that I feel blessed is a complete understatement.  I love that God has called me here and that He has blessed me with an amazing family both here in Haiti and in the States. 

Loved getting lots of cuddle time with little Ava!

Caitlin and Madison were all about anything Christmas!

Sure doesn't look like Haiti!  Not going to lie...I will not miss the cold or snow!

My youngest sister Yarley is a cheerleader (she is being lifted on the right).
Don't worry--after watching them toss her around I let her know she wasn't allowed
to do this ever again...to which I'm sure she rolled her eyes=)

Jordyn (my friend Sara's little girl) Madison, and Caitlin.
Loved getting to be at Caitlin's 5th birthday party!