"Cart Family"

All 6 of us in the cart. Bied said the other day, "I think we should get some of our own donkeys!" Oh boy, glad Christmas is in the US this year, otherwise Brad and Ami might've received rather large pets as gifts.

Family picture - September 2009

Donkeys and Boxes

So for Ami and Bradley's combined party, Brian (aka REAL fun daddy) organized a donkey cart from the nearby village. The cart drove down the campus road and picked up the kids from their houses. It was so cool. We often see the donkey carts along the road here in Lilongwe, so it was so fun to actually have one on the campus and get a ride in it too.

Riding along the campus road with the party guests!

Ami had a butterfly cake and Brad had a boat. And of course they were wearing their birthday crowns. Can hardly believe they are 6 and 4.

Lots of fun on the slip 'n slide too!

Brian and Richard put together a castle made out of all the boxes from the Floreens' unpacking stint.

The kids loved it! There were tunnels all over which led to a huge box room filled with packing paper for the kids to jump in.

The adults feasting together.

Praising God for giving Ami and Bradley these wonderful years.

Alli Baby

This sweet girl is doing 7 to 8 hour stretches of sleep at night now, YAY!

Ami Lee is 6!

The traditional wake up in your bed with cupcake, candle, "happy birthday to you" and presents.

This is so much fun for me, not as much fun for the onlookers.

Oh to be 6! No I didn't do the white draping, that's her mozzy net tossed up.

Cupcake at 6:30am anyone?

Birthday dinner.

Doc update

Thanks for your prayers on my behalf too. I saw the doc again today. I feel fine, still have a right lower abdominal pain that comes every so often, but the scan showed nothing abnormal. The only thing they did find, was what seems to be a 7mm oval lesion in the right kidney with no apparent shadowing for a kidney stone? We shall consider further medical treatment in SA or USA if the pain worsens. Please pray that it'll go away completely.

The Birthday Girl is better

Praise the Lord! Today Ami turned six and we are so thankful that the medication kicked in soon after she took it. She was on the meds until Friday. She is fully recovered now. Malaria can get up to plus 4 which is REALLY dangerous. Ami had plus 2. It was a good wake up call for us. We have been a little laid back with spraying the kids, bringing them inside before dusk, putting nets down early etc. We are back at it again, but we are so excited about our trip to LA in 3 weeks. No malaria mozzies there, yay!

How gracious our Father in heaven is, to have given our precious Ami to us for these past six years. Happy Birthday big girl and Daddy says you have to stop growing!

Malaria

Please keep praying for us, especially Ami. She has just returned from the clinic here at ABC and has malaria. She is on medication. Pray that she will get well soon and that we would be careful with spraying and being outside etc.
We do praise God that He knows our bodies and that this has come as no surprise to Him.
We thank the Lord that Ami was able to communicate exactly how she was feeling and that we are right here at the clinic and that we could get a test very soon. We shall keep you updated.

Doc Visit

All looks fine according to the specimens that were sent in to the lab today. No malaria, no appendicitis, white blood cell count is normal. The right lower abdominal pain is still there and so this week I hope to see another doctor at the Partners in Hope clinic here in Lilongwe. Apparently, the ultra sound machine they have is less antiquated than the one here on campus :) We value your prayers!

Bugs 'n Stones

This past week has been real tough! Brian realized on Monday he had symptoms for kidney stones again. Poor guy! He eventually managed to pass the 8mm monster on Friday. He suffered for long, but has learned from his brother to just live on pain killers and flush them out. That saved him a trip to South Africa.

I had some kind of weird stomach bug that caused severe cramping and pain just like when I had to go down to SA while preggy. The symptoms that go along with stomach bugs have subsided, however a sharp pain in my lower abdomen has still not gone. We checked for ovarian cysts and found nothing. I will see the doctor again tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom for us and the doctor here at ABC clinic. Pray that we would find out what it is before we leave for the US in 4 weeks. Shall keep you updated!

I get by with a little...

Help from my friends!

Ami, trying to help Sarah Rose ride her bike without training wheels.

So here's how...

On a big purple Wiggles ball via Daddy's strong arms!