I love you Ungle Mike

This is the hardest post that I've ever wrote.

I don't have the emotional energy to say much. So I'm going to share a victory that I've shared with my Uncle Mike. Or Ungle Mike as my kids have always said.

After Rick and I were married, we moved to NKC. I was less than 30 minutes from Aunt Pam and Uncle Mike (Heather and Josh still lived at home at that time). I spent most of my free time with them.

One night I spent the night and started asking questions about God. I knew that they went to church and it was very important to them. All the things that I knew about God were confusing and filled with rules. I thought He was "a boss" and I didn't want "a boss". I thought His stories were far fetched and unbelievable.

I started asking Mike and Pam questions that night. Question after question as a matter of fact. I'll never forget sitting on a barstool in their kitchen. It's almost as if God has preserved that memory fresh for me.

I asked how? How do I know for sure that Jesus is my answer? Why is there so much anger and sadness and violence in this world? Do we really have an enemy? And is hell a real place?

All those things that were confusing to me, we suddenly simple. Instantly, a lightbulb was turned on in my head, I believed. I believed all the Bible stories that before seemed crazy. I believed that God was good and just and the way. I believed that I needed Him.

I said the sinners prayer that night in my shower. Just the Lord and I. At first I thought it was crazy that I made such a huge spiritual decision in the shower. Now the symbolism is priceless to me. I was washed clean.

I don't have my Uncle Mike on this Earth anymore. But I'm POSITIVE that I'll share eternity with him in Heaven. I KNOW that I will hug him again. And I HOPE that God brings Mike to me when I enter the gates to walk me to Jesus. Because that is what he helped me to do on Earth. I pray that God gives him jewels in his spiritual crown for me, my husband and my children.

We love you Mike and we're going to miss you like crazy.

Cocoa's New Dwelling

With my own two hands, I assembled a rabbit cage. It required screws, and tools, and directions. And I did it. All by myself!!!!!!!

No Teen boys, no Husband, no Grandpa. Just me and a box of metal.

This is an accomplishment because...... I have trouble with Legos. I've only recently managed to make a good pot of coffee. Let's just say, this may be a first friends!

This is an extremely private fenced and gated property. Located at the end of a paved 1/2 miled long, tree lined property. It is surrounded by a "natural setting". Mature thorny locust trees and a Morton metal barn.

It is constructed by one of the areas premier luxury home builders (ahem). No expenses were spared in the creation of this magnificint abode. Metal floors, a loft, two entrances, oversized master bath with sliding "clean out tray", gourmet kitchen with personal pellet feeder and automatic waterer. It is approximately seven miles from bunny school, bunny shopping, and bunny restaurants.

This property is energy efficient and "green", very, very green.

The view is priceless.

and the social life is unmatched.

There is also a "hide so no one can get you" spot.

Hugs and kisses are included in this listing.

Lots and lots of hugs and kisses.

The watch cat is an added feature, however, the piece of mind she provides is priceless.

The watch cat is fierce..............

skilled in clawing, hissing, pouncing............

and highly aggresive toward intruders.

You can rest assured this property is well manicured by the owner!!!!

A Few New Things

Girls and boys,

Meet the latest member of the Smith family..............

I know..... she's pretty. But really.......... another mouth to feed.

Another litter box. (sigh)

Ian found her in the barn. He gently placed her in an igloo cooler (which didn't set well with the kitty). She was thin, so we gave her some of Congo's food. She ate.... and ate..... and ate. The poor baby was hungry.

I told the kids that it's hard to contain a stray cat. If she stuck around for three days, we could name her.

Her name is Misty....... Misty Smith.

Already we have had an incident involving Misty, T-bone, the BBQ grill, and me in my underwear in the middle of the night. I will spare you the details. Just trust me when I say, it's never dull around here!!!!!

New #2

Every August we get a letter in the mailbox telling who our new teachers will be. Since the boys are in Middle School (or "metal school" as Gracie says) and High School, they no longer get letters. However Gracie does. She and I have stalked our mailbox. She knows the approximate time the mail lady comes. So, we go check.

Finally, we got the letter! It's Mrs. Bonderer. Her first name is.... (drumroll please)... Gracie! How fun is that?

I'm always so excited for the monkeys to be out of school. Friends, I'm ready for it to begin again.

I'm ready to have a schedule.

I'm ready to spend less than a million dollars at the grocery store every week.

I'm ready to hear "I'm telling Mom" a little less.

I'm ready to clean the house and have it stay that way for more than 15 minutes.

Give me a month, I'll be wishing for them to be home again.

Things are dying in my yard at record pace. Everything in pots has a brown-ish hue. The plants are crunchy and I'm pretty sure that means their dead. I may have set an all-time personal record. I kept them alive until August 1st.

I'm looking forward to mums, I guess! Geez, it won't be long!

Lastly,

I thought I would show you the new man in my life (don't tell Rick). Aunt Pam introduced him to me and it was love at first sight.

I'm broken-hearted for my family.

Trying to understand why?

We are going to miss you Tegan.

Haiti (misc. pictures)

Rick and Ryan have been home for several days now. We are slowly trying to slip back into our routine. They both came back exhasted. A combination of sleep deprivation, jet lag, and being exposed to heat for so long. I was also exhasted. Proably more mentally than anything. I woke up thinking about them and they were my last thought before going to sleep. I'm glad they are home safely.

I've tried to sift through over 500 photos. Without Rick or Ryan, it really isn't possible. I don't know the names or places of the people. But these photos shouldn't be hidden for our family alone. I'm anxious to share them with you. So, I will tell you what I can. Hopefully soon, Rick and Ryan will help me fill in the spaces.

This is Rick with the orphans. While he was gone, he sent me several pictures of the little girl in yellow. Both Rick and Ryan thought she was cute. Rick said that these children HUNG all over you. I'm not sure if it was because they were so grateful of the help or that they just wanted affection. I know that all I would want to do it sit in a rocking chair with these babies.

Ryan gave all the orphans glow sticks. He said they went back several days later and they still had them on. Even though they no longer glowed.

Ryan said this little girl was probably 4 years old. It was her responsiblity to keep their cooking fire going. Ryan was amazed that she knew how to fan the flame and cook.

The team rode an hour and a half back to Port-a-Prince in the back of a pick-up.

The day before they left, Rick found Herby in the village. He gave him a package of Nutter Butter. Ryan said that he was really bashful the first day they met. But on this day, Herby jumped into his arms. (Herby is the child that our family sponsors)

The market

People herding their cattle down the road.

A Haitian grocery store.

Refugees from the earthquake. Rick said that to get a tent is a HUGE luxury. Most people didn't get one.

Herby eating dinner with Rick.

Herby and his momma

Rick said that the children of the orphanage all had jobs. These children were making a palm branch fence.

This is where the team would do their twice a day bible study, eat their meals and wind down for the evening.

Ryan cleaned wounds one whole day. Rick said almost every patient had a wound. Most were from rat bites.

Ryan made several friends while he was there.

Haiti (day 3 and 4)

Rick and Ryan have been working in the local clinic today and yesterday. The orphanage came to them first thing yesterday morning. All of them in a single truck. They saw nearly 80 yesterday and plan on seeing over 150 today. In his Carrollton clinic, he is only able to get between 25 and 30 in. He has volumes more paperwork in the States. Nothing in Haiti is documented.

Keith and a little guy from the orphanage.

I'm "busting at the seams" proud of this picture. Rick and I are sponsoring this little boy so he can go to school. Our sponsorship pays for his book, uniform, one meal a day, and teacher salary. I already love Herby.

Our church helped provide hats and fabric paint for a craft project. One little girl wrote this on hers. Ugh! I'm all emotional over this!!!!

I couldn't be more proud of my man!!! I'm positive that God gave his medical talents so he could do this. I love you Hunny!!!

They orphanage cleaned up all the little kiddos before coming to the clinic. I ADORE this little girl. Doesn't she look like a little doll!!