We were able to go to Amanda’s old elementary and high school and speak at their chapel services. Rainelle Christian Academy holds so many fond memories and I was so glad to let Taylor come along with us. The kindergarten teacher-Mrs. Dawson-invited Taylor to come join the class for the day and she had so much fun.
Taylor helped demonstrate how to carry things on her head and how to carry a baby on her back.
We have been speaking at several churches recently sharing what the Lord is doing in Botswana. We were so happy to be a part of Providence Baptist Church’s missions festival in late February. It gave us a time to catch up with some old friends and we got to stay the weekend with our friends Nick and Dana Babbs.
We moved to Raleigh, NC when we were 1st married in 2004 and joined a young married class at Providence Baptist Church. We still have some very dear friends from there and were able to get together with Nick and Dana Babbs and Courtney Bryant and their sweet kiddos.
We had a little time between the Sunday morning service and the Sunday evening service and enjoyed the warm weather at the park.
Above: Taylor made a friend while we were at the park. This new friend’s mom was so impressed when it was time for them to go Taylor said “let me give you a kiss and hug”. Our little girl has never met a stranger.
Taylor, Caleb (Nick and Dana’s son), and Bradyn making some silly faces.
Sometimes we feel like we are trying to fit 3 years of activities into our 7 month Stateside. A lot of things that the kiddos can’t do overseas we are trying to fit in during our time in America. We recently went to Disney on Ice in Washington DC. We all had so much fun minus the $12 bags of cotton candy. The highlights by far were Rapunzel and Flynn and also when Captain Hook fell into the Crocs mouth Bradyn yelled “uh oh!”
Above: Rapunzel and Flynn from “Tangled”
Below: Taylor in her Rapunzel dress with her $12 bag of cotton candy-WOW!
Above: Bradyn in his Mickey ears
Below: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy
CAPTIVATED!!
Above: Peter Pan and Captain Hook and the Croc
Below: Timon and Pumba from the Lion King
This year we spent Valentine’s Day with the cousins-Noa, Ainsley, and Ian. The kids all made a Valentine mouse to put their Valentine’s in and exchanged Valentine’s.
Above: Taylor doing the “I love you” sign and Bradyn trying
Below: Taylor has wanted a locket for so long and her daddy bought her one for Valentine’s day
For most of our time in the States we are staying in Maryland with Brent’s parents. We are about 1 hour away from Washington DC so we are trying to take advantage of all of the museums. Recently we went to “The Museum of Natural History” and “The Air and Space Museum”. The kids had so much fun exploring all of the different hands on activities.
Above: Brent and the kids in front of the Washington Monument
Below: Amanda and the kids in the lobby of the Natural History Museum
Above: Taylor got to hold the pupa of a moth.
Below: Our cute fella at lunch at McDonald’s
Above: The kids looking at the Wright brothers first plane
Above: Exploring space
Below: Air and Space Museum
In February, we had the opportunity to speak at Oakton Baptist Church in Virginia. This church is very special to us as it is Brent’s grandfather’s church and they have prayed for us for the past 3 years. Afterwards, Nana and Pop invited us to their house and the kids got to see Pop’s trains that he has worked so hard building in the basement. They had a great time watching all the trains go by.
The kids loved being the conductor and making the trains go faster.
Above: Brent’s grandparents–Nana and Pop-we are so thankful for all of their support.
In January, Brent’s parents took the entire family to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia for our Christmas present. We had a great time and would definitely recommend going.
They had a really cool activity for the kids called Magic Quest. The kids used their wands to open treasure chests all throughout the lodge.
Above: Grammy and Grandad with all of their grandkids-Ian, Ainsley, Noa, Taylor, and Bradyn
Below: Noa, Taylor, and Ainsley hanging out with the Wolf.
What a blast hanging out at an indoor water park in January!
