We've been busy!

Well, things have been in high gear around here. In addition to multiple orthodontist, dentist and doctor appointments we've been busy with the activities detailed below...oh and we are back to a full school schedule too :)!! Today Mercy had an appointment with the pediatric dentist to have a crown put in over a tooth that was badly decaying. After the procedure, the tears started(quiet tears!) as soon as she saw me in the waiting area(this dentist prefers the parents wait in the other room) but she was reportedly a total gem during the procedure. She even was given a refreshing popsicle by the dentist to help with the discomfort.She was such a trouper and as we drove home, I was reminded of our first doctor visit and what a contrast to her experience today ....my, what a work God has done!! We came home and everyone was so excited to see Mercy's 'golden tooth'. It is actually a silver cap and Mercy was quite impressed with its shiny shiny quality. L admitted he wanted one too and displayed his eagerness by peering closely into Mercy's widely opened mouth!!! Yikes, let's hope we can avoid another one of these pretty but pricey tooth ornaments! Next week we head over to the orthodontist who will be fitting Mercy with a custom made spring loaded mouth piece to correct her cross bite. She will wear this 24/7 (except for brushing) for approximately 6 months. Our already challenging Phonics lessons are about to get really interesting as she attempts to speak clearly with the new contraption in her mouth:)!!
On Sunday during worship at church my heart was full as I heard Mercy singing the words to this song,
" Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus thank you-
The Father's wrath completely satisfied, Jesus thank you.
Once your enemy, now seated at your table, Jesus thank you."
I didn't realize she had memorized the words to this song...such rich truth that she has yet to fully comprehend but my heart was stirred that if even for a brief moment, she was actively participating in worship instead of asking when she could sit down.
Once again, I am amazed by His grace!
Thanks for stopping by,
MamaB.

Look who turned 4?! On the Sunday before his birthday, we had Mimi and Pop Pop over..the Kach kiddos joined us too. Grandmom and Pop-Pop B were away visiting with family up North but Odesco was thrilled to receive a card from them in the mail!.

His first birthday cake (and celebration!) ever :)
Mimi always makes the kids their cakes. Odesco was having a hard time deciding so Mimi creatively combined the two...Batman and Curious George!!

Odesco sure loved having Jenkins join in his celebration!!

Another birthday celebration...We were blessed to participate in '50 days of splendor' to honor our friend Mrs Di. Her hubby creatively set up different people to bless his wife for the 50 days leading up to her...um __th birthday. Well, I can't tell you how old she'll be---you guess and fill in the blank :)

The little ones sang a song and made her special creations...then we enjoyed a lunch together with Mrs. Di's kiddos...lots of fun. How grateful I am for this special lady who has blessed my life in countless ways. She also bravely takes all 6 kids on a regular basis for a few hours for our 'kidswap'. On an alternate afternoon I have her 2 kiddos here...hmmm who gets the better end of that deal?!?

These 4 enjoy the simple things!! They were so excited to have a 'picnic' under the swing set! The added benefit is less mess on the kitchen floor :)

Fun at our friend's house ( they live a few houses away) for a marshmallow roast...then the big boys and Daddy stayed to watch the Monday Night Football on a 'real' TV while I got the littles in bed.

We had 3 of the Kach kiddos here on Odesco's actual birthday . What better gift for Odesco than to be with his special buddy on his special day?!

The Birthday Boy enjoying the Rhyme Game he received from Jenkins. This was actually his school time on Tuesday...a fun break from the routine :)

Odesco's special birthday request was Potato Green Soup...these 3 were the only ones who ate it and they wisely found the bibs in the drawer used for our toddler visitors. Red palm oil is bright orange as you can see and stains everything it splatters on!

Our little pirate donning his birthday gifts (Pirate hat, sunglasses and rubberband gun)

Grandmom and Poppop B sent Odesco money...I took him to a very fun local educational store ( Lakeshore Learning Store) and let him choose a game.Initially he was content to sit and play with a sample toy cash register...finally C and I coaxed him away from that to choose his game. He was so funny as he aimlessly ran around from aisle to aisle trying to make up his mind. Finally I chose 3 games for him to pick from, he just pointed to the game above and let C and I know he was ready to go home...sensory overload for sure!!

These 4 do lots of clowning around together...Odesco initially was upset when everyone laughed at him in this 'jester hat'- a treasure he found in our dress up bin. We had to explain that the purpose of the hat was to make people laugh...so, once he processed that information, our smiling boy was back again :)

Last week we headed up to the Pocono mountains for an overnight to join our gracious hosts, the Di family as they vacationed for the week. The ride up was just beautiful as the leaves are on the cusp of change. It was a wonderful break ...above is the view from the house. Daddy joined us after work on Monday and we drove home after dinner on Tuesday night.

One of the highlights for the kiddos was relaxing in this monstrous hot tub outside the back door! Little man L exclaimed," Ahhh this is the life!" How right he is...these kids are so blessed!!!

Daddy and Mr. Di enjoying a rare quiet moment to chat.

The kiddos conquer the sand hill and give the moms more laundry to do!

The B Bunch...all 8 of us :) You can't tell in this picture but we were being attacked by pesky gnats that attempted to fly up or into all exposed orifices-Blech!!!

On Tuesday afternoon, the Kach family joined in the fun. Odesco was thrilled to spend time with his buddy Jenkins! We left after dinner but were grateful for the fellowship we squeezed in before the drive home...the Di's even take their gift of hospitality on the road with them inviting guests to spend each day with them !!

Our little man L gets to ride in style on one of his first playdates at his friend's house. It was too funny seeing him secured in his carseat as my friend L took off in her sporty convertible. He had such a fun time and was full of stories when he came home :) I just love this part of mothering-having the opportunity to rejoice with our kids when they rejoice!!!

Our first home school soccer game . On both teams, (the older and younger)kids played against our good friends, the G's . As you can see from this picture, they are friends first and even sat together as they waited to get back in the game.

The cousins... on Saturday we got together with my 'blended' family for a reunion of sorts. My one 'sister' is in the US with her hubby and 4 children on furlough from their time in the Honduras as missionaries. Mercy and Odesco fit right in with this crowd of busy kiddos!!