Christmas....God's gift to Us!

Got lucky and had some family pictures taken! The guys where not so happy about having to do this, but so worth it! Brody is 3 1/2 months old already! Full of smile, coooing and giggles!

Brody loves to sit in the high chair so he can see what we are all doing! He is grabbing toys, looking at all the lights and sounds of the house!!

Brody loves his big brother Beau!

It is so fun to talk to Brody and get him to giggle!

Had some fun and curled up Brynn's hair for the program!
Brynn at her school program!

As I sit and look at Brody, to think we were praying that God be with the little where ever he/she was. God has blessed us so much with Brody!! Every Christmas for the last 4 years, I wondered what/where God had in mind for our Family! WE have so much to be thankful for! I pray that God will open the doors for those waiting!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

What a way to end the week!

Last weekend we celebrated 4th of July with Mark's family reunion at Inspiration Hills. Mark's Grandmother was an identical twin. The sisters married brothers, on the same day and gave birth to their 1st child hours apart. The sisters always had the same outfit to the earrings on. This family had strong christian values with tons of humor.

At the reunion there was 600 relatives there, figuring they were missing 400. Whew, here is some pictures from part of the weekend!

Outdoor Church Service

Most of the relatives ended the celebration at Carmel Church (our church) where it all started. The evening service is usually a small crowd, but with all the Sandbulte's there, it was full. It was really moving afterwards, in the cemetery, there was a little white flag that represented a family member who passed away. There are 2 diseases that have taken special members home to live with Jesus. (Wescot Aldrich, and Huntington's diseases)

After church we had a fireworks display. It was awesome!

Talent Show....Grandpa sang with his grand (big)kids!

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Today was the last day of our Baseball Season 2009! I love baseball and will miss sitting with other Mom's. Here are some pictures of the last week of ball!

This is Benjamin catching!

Brynn enjoying the game with her "friends"!

Beau had his last game the other night! He had a great season with the JV. The Varsity starts districts Saturday Night! Good Luck Nighthawks!
Poor Bradyn's last double header was rained out! He was so bummed! Here is his last game with his best summer buddies!

We have had lots of rain this week, with hail! I have see pictures of some big hail. I guess our niece Becky's back car window has a whole in it from hail!

Our family went to see the new Ice Age last night. Cute movie. It is more funny watching Mark and kids giggling! Oh, that Sid the sloth cracks us up!

Here is the nicest surprise we got today!

In November, Pastor Aaron, Nick and Troy brought a baggie of stuff for Marcus! This is the Christmas shirt! Marcus is going to preschool and is doing well! Praise God!! God is surely hearing our prayers. The other day I was talking at a ballgame(hard to imagine, huh?) and Carol said her sister is friends with a Liberian family from their church. Carol said this Liberian Mom is going back to Liberia for a visit! I asked if it was possible for the Liberian Mom to take a care package to Liberia, and try to get it to the Orphanage or Trokon! WOW, God is good! So this week I quickly put together a book of all pictures and lamented them, picked up new underwear, dum dum suckers, match box cars and 2 bottles of vitamins. I am also so excited because Cecilia has a little boy the same age as Marcus, just a few months younger! :) Mark No word on when Liberia will reopen. We are just so thankful for all the prayers for patience, peace and health for Marcus!

Weekends!

Here it is Saturday night, and we are all home!

It is going to get so busy in the next weeks, it is nice to sit back and relax!

I did get most of the gifts wrapped yesterday. Today Mark and I took Beau to get gifts for his siblings. Interesting watching father/son picking out gifts for the boys. Not sure who wanted the gifts more. :)Having a little girl is a change of scenery in Wal Mart! I think the kids will be delighted what ever they get.

The kids always make lists, of course on all of them it said to have their little brother home for Christmas. I think this year it will be a very special Christmas for Marcus over in Liberia. Last year we prayed for the child God had in mind for us, and now we are praying for all the children who are waiting to go home, or those waiting to find a home.

As we get closer to traveling, I have typed about what to bring to the Orphanage for the children. Trokon typed to us what is needed over in Liberia. The Orphanage needs money for food and medical supplies. I can't imagine, needing food, or medical supplies. I am so excited to bring donations of money to the Mother of the Orphanage. Here we throw so much food away daily, and to think those little ones are hungry.

Tomorrow we are going to Bridge of Hope to hear and see what the group did in Liberia. I can just think of being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. I know when we travel our eyes are going to be opened and our hearts are going to be tugged many times. We are all excited to hear about all they did, especially when the spent time with our little one!!

If you would like to donate to the orphanage, you can email me. I know we are not all called to adopt. We are not asking for money for our adoption, but we are asking if you feel called to donate even $1.00, with many donations, the Orphanage can buy 50 pounds of rice for a small price.

Thanks for checking in, and God Bless You all this awesome time of Year!

Pictures from Liberia

Good Morning!

I can not believe it is December 11 already! It is cold and breezy today. Our family vacation is sounding better every day! The kids are counting down the days till we fly out to the sunny beach in Florida! We are so spoiled!

Our family was praying and hoping Marcus would be home to take in the wonderful Florida vacation with all Mark's family. It would be too much for him now, if we get him home before Christmas. There are 31 Family members to get use too, it is overwhelming for anyone who sees us all running in the airport, but for a little guy home from Liberia, seeing all of us together, yikes!

Marcus is going to have such a new life here, toilets, running water, doors, windows, sinks, refridgerator, medical care and most of all food.

When we get a travel date, we are planning on asking for donations for the Orphanage. The need is so great for medical supplies and money for food. Here are a few pictures.

Picture of the children at school in Liberia. We think the children

without uniforms are children who live in the orphanage.

We have our idea of sometime in January to travel. I can not imagine coming from 80* weather, humid to Iowa that has snow, wind and gusts that takes your breath away. Poor little guy.

We are so close, I am starting to think this just might happen!

The outside of the Orphanage!

The entrance of the Orphanage!

We Praise God for the safety of Pastor Aaron, Nick and Troy as they made it home from Monrovia! Pastor Aaron and Nick got to spend some time at the orphanage and time with our little Marcus.

We have not had a chance to sit and talk with them and see video taken yet. Yesterday we received the disk with pictures on it! I would love to show you pictures, I am waiting until Marcus is paper ready ours!

Saturday night we ate at Tophers and bumped into Pastor Aaron and his Family. Brynn of course said "did you see my little brother?" Pastor Aaron was proud to "yes and do you know what his favorite food is?" I was a bit worried, it is eggs! Sounds like Marcus and his sister will get along just fine!

I don't know who is more excited to talk with them, Mark, the boys or myself!!

We have been keeping busy here. I am trying to get the Soup Supper printed out, our printed is on the blink.

Sent out Christmas cards for all the College students in our church. I would love to send our cards but I am waiting for Marcus to be home to send them out! Getting Christmas decorations out, trying and praying to get the laundry room caught up for a day! Ugh!'

Brynn had dance and ice skating lessons last night. The oldest boys went to the basketball game. When it is this cold outside it is such a treat to stay home.

Today I am going to make a meal for my cousin who lost his son in a car accident. My heart breaks for him and his family. Jon was such a spirited young man, who always had a huge smile and a hello where ever he was. Jon was always a giver, and he was an organ donor. His heart is still pumping somewhere and we pray for the family who received his heart, kidney, pancreas and other organs.

During this time of the year, you always think about those who are less fortunate than us. I see these pictures of the children in Liberia, couples who lost their children in accidents, those facing cancer, those who lost jobs, those waiting to bring their son or daughter home, the Service Men and Women who are in the Military, families who can not be together for the Holiday's or who do not have families. I encourage you all to pray for them. Maybe a card or a phone call can make their day a bit brighter!

I better get back to getting the soup supper list done, and the laundry!

God Bless You All!

FYI

Just thought I would let those silly girls in Iowa City know, my Aunt Paula is married to my dad's brother! (Not my Sister In-Law Paula!)
ad a great 4th of July with DH family and went to watch Kit K. movie with Princess and my Mom! The Boy's, Dad and my sister went to the Smart movie!

Bug Bites

Yesterday our Little Princess woke up looking like this!

Slowly the swelling went down and by the end of the day she looked so much better.

We only had 2 ballgames at 5:30 & 6:30 after a quick dinner at CJ's, we all piled in the suburban and headed to Mark's sister for "N"s birthday. We do this every year and have fireworks. It amazes me how much fun all 31 of us have together! Of course when it is dark, all the kids have to play grey wolf. It reminds me of Hide and Seek.

Of course Princess came back crying thinking there might be a wolf some place. Imagine the oldest nephew who is about 21 hiding and 19 others looking for him was quite a site. DH's sisters and brother are trying to make plans for DH's 40th birthday next week.

On the adoption front, our Agency sent $ down to Liberia and now we wait and see......God's Timing.....waiting for the health department in Liberia. Starting to think about what it would be like taking this sweet little boy with us. Princess reminds me that she will share with M. To pray for her little brother.

I better get ready to get to the dentist, Son #1 has a check-up and Son#2 gets braces put on. Ballgame at 3:30 and than ballgame in RR at 5:30!

Have a super 4th of July!

Saying prayers for: Cousin Cheri who had hip replacement surgery yesterday

Aunt Paula is having a double mastectomy tomarrow