Thanks to all of you who prayed for us while Ben was gone. He ended up having a wonderful trip and learned a lot. There was much to process and think through and it was good that we were apart so that he could have that time to focus. I was so thankful that God kept me and the kids safe and happy. We were busy with friends, dinners out and play dates! It was good to have Ben come home - especially when he brought us some special things from Kenya... a pillow, dark chocolate, coffee beans and a little christmas tree! We can't wait to set it up and start thinking about Christmas this year.

Two days ago Ben gave me the afternoon off so that I could go by myself to a coffee shop and write some notes. I was eager to get some time alone. About 5 minutes after I drove from home I was hit by a bus at the intersection close to our house. The bus gunned the green and hit me as I was going through. Praise the Lord I was protected. The car did get a big dent and I did get a bit scratched up, but I was safe.

The experience was eventful and I am so thankful that the Lord was with me. I could have been terrified but He gave me peace through it all. After I was hit, several people surrounded the car, directed me to the side of the road and tried to tell me what to do. Because I don't speak the language very well, I just kept telling them I had to call my husband. "I don't understand, wait for my husband!", I kept telling them. They finally got through to me that I was to follow them to the police station and after Ben found someone to watch the kids he made it over there to be with me. It took 4 hours to work through what had happened. They told me that I was guilty although I obviously was the one hit and I clearly remember the light was green when I entered the intersection! It was tough to be discriminated against because I was a woman, alone, without witnesses and unable to communicate for myself. But, I'm so thankful for the experience as it taught me a lot about understanding what it is like not to have rights or a voice. I did pray much that the Lord would use it for good and not allow me to have bitterness or frustration with the culture and He has done that! I'm so grateful for the protection that the Lord provided for me.

Ben is leaving tonight and is going to Kenya for a conference. I will be here with the kids, trying to find ways to fill our days without our favorite person. Pray for us as we are apart, mostly for safety and that God will teach Ben much during his days away!

Have we told you all how much we enjoy getting packages?! We don't get regular mail so when we do get something we have a party! Friends from the states sent us some special things that we miss from home like, a princess coloring book for Reese, a new "Living" magazine (yeah for magazines that aren't 5 years old - seriously!) a new car for Jamin and some ranch dressing mix! Thankyou Broten family, we love you and you made our day!

After lunch...

"Reese, I'm going to get Jamin down for a nap. I want you to look at books on the couch. K?"

"Okay, mommy"

After 20 minutes

Jamin is finally sleeping. Okay, I'll admit I was dozing a bit too.

Reese comes into the bedroom waking up Jamin...

"Mommy, mommy, look what I did!"

"Reese! I've told you not to paint your nails without me, where did you paint them?!"

"On my nails."

"No, I mean where did you paint your nails?"

Jamin is screaming, still very tired.

"On my nails, mommy!"

"Reese, at the table, on the floor? Where did you paint them?!"

"In here mommy!"

Hand in hand she leads me to the bathroom sink, which is COVERED in beautiful Raisin Rage nail polish!

Wish I had my camara, but of course the better thing to do was seriously handle the matter.

So, lets just say I quickly had TWO crying kids, a beautiful new sink color and another memory to add to the collection of raising toddlers!

Reese's birthday was so much fun. We had such a great party with her friends, reading and watching Cinderella together, eating princess cake and dressing up like princesses! She loved her little baby doll bed and makes sure her baby is tucked in every night.

Just two days ago the weather was so beautiful - in the 80's first thing in the morning! So, before it climbed any higher, I put the the kids in the car and we went over to the park. They loved running in the green grass and looking at the animals in the zoo section. I loved the freedom of driving around. Having the weather cool down a bit here changes things so much. Everyone has more energy and we have been enjoying taking walks in the evenings and visiting friends. I've been driving around, getting more comfortable with the crazy traffic and getting to know the roads a bit better.

Tonight we went out to the beach with some friends. We had a small picnic together and celebrated one of of our Swedish friend's birthday! We are all 27 this year! Finally we are not the youngest couple around!

J

Birthday pics!

Reese's 4th birthday is tomorrow and excitement is in the air! Ben and I have been really excited this year about her special day. We started earlier this month by me- making a patchwork baby quilt and quilting it and Ben - designing and having a carpenter at the market build a little baby doll bed. Today Ben picked up the baby doll bed frame, got the mattress man to make a little mattress that fit the bed perfectly and brought it home. Once I saw it I had the dimensions to make a little fitted sheet (complete with elastic and everything!) flat sheet and matching pillowcase (for the pillow I had made too). It turned out amazing and we can't wait to give it to Reese tomorrow for her precious little baby "Sweetheart".