Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy came and went and thankfully we were left unscathed.
The worst of the storm was between 5pm-5am, with the eye of the hurricane around 10pm. You could totally tell. The winds were fierce. I kept looking out front to Chestnut Street where 4 large buttonwood trees stand. They have caused serious damage in the past, but not even a branch broke off in this storm. Amazing.
We woke up this morning, still having power and really no damage to our home or property. The rain didn't flood our home in any way. We are so incredibly thankful.
The only thing that's been a bit of a challenge is keeping the kids occupied and busy while being indoors for two days straight. (Normally we are out and about almost every day. We like to stay busy.)
We've made and decorated sugar cookies, listened to stories on CD and painted. I'm looking forward to Lilia going back to school tomorrow. I think we will all appreciate returning to our life's schedule.

Fall colors

Pumpkin Carving

 Saturday morning we got together with Church friends and people from the neighborhood to carve pumpkins.
Lilia didn't want to even touch the goopy pumpkin inside so I did all the work. She did draw the face she wanted and I carved it out.

This is the face Alex drew on his pumpkin that he wanted me to carve for him.

Finished product

The things you learn in school

Here's the discussion over breakfast just now...
"Alex did you know that Michael Jackson died because he kept changing the color of his skin." - Lilia
"I can't believe that's true," then he slaps his hand on the table. - Alex

Leaf Garland

This idea popped into my head a couple of weeks ago, but I was too lazy at the time to collect the leaves.
We were at my in-laws Sunday and they had the most beautifully colored and shaped leaves in their yard. Before I knew it I had at least 50 in my hands and Lilia was helping me collect more.
As I was watching the Amazing Race I got out some good ole needle and thread and sewed a strand of leaves, making this garland. I love it! I think I'll do it every year.
The leaves have already turned brown and it's only Tuesday, but it still looks really cool.

Boo at the Zoo

 Last weekend the kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes to go to the zoo.
I love the idea of them actually getting use out of their costumes and enjoying them more than just one day of the year.
Lilia is Jesse from Toy Story and Alex is Buzz Lightyear. He barely wore his costume, but we all had a great time.
It was a perfect fall day, and although the zoo was a bit crowded, we could take our time and just see a few of our favorite animals.

Alex's 3rd Birthday Party

I can't believe I'm so late in posting these pictures. Whoops.
Alex loved his birthday party. He now refers to it as present day and says that his real birthday is coming up.

Fall hike at Ridley Creek

 Yesterday we got in the car and headed out to Ridley Creek to enjoy the perfect fall weather. After a picnic lunch we hit the trail.
We followed lots of different paths and trails and ended up hiking for 2 hours! Lilia and Alex did great. Lilia almost hiked the entire time and Alex only needed to be carried towards the end. I was so impressed.
Our plan for next summer is to take seminary classes in CO. We hope on the weekends to go hiking. I told them that we were training for our CO hikes. That was inspiring to all of us.

This is someone's barn and home in the park. Although it would be incredibly isolating, I would love to live here.

Alex was pretending this fallen tree was a fire truck. He's using hand motions to pretend like he's driving.

Leaves

 We had finally made it back to where we started. We kicked through the leaves and Lilia made a leaf angel.
The kids had fun throwing leaves at the camera.

Painting time

 Yesterday morning the kids wanted to paint. After about 20 minutes of painting Alex came running into the living room saying, "I'm almost Batman!"He had painted his face and arms.
Lilia then came in and asked us, "Can I paint my face too?"

Happy 3rd Birthday Alexander David

Lilia holding Alex; the day he was born.

 We had no idea what we were in for when we brought Alex home from the hospital shortly after he was born on October 12th 2009.
Yes the early years were tough, but we are far past that now.
The Alex I know today is funny, tender-hearted, a snuggler, energetic, loves people and is such a great kid.
I love the boy you are becoming Alex. I love snuggling with you in the mornings, I love reading you stories at night. I love how you love to jump. I love when you act like one of the super heros. You get this look on your face and you do these cool moves. It's great!
I love how caring you are. You want to pray for people when there is a storm, you want to provide things for your sister. You are happy to get her blankie when she's sad. You have a beautifully tender heart - like the heart of David from the Bible.
I love how when dad says at dinner, "let's pray," you then bow your head and say, "Dear God, thank you for playing cars with me. Amen."

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3 - Starbucks hot chocolate date with mommy

Age 3 - Jumping from the rocks, Kelly Drive

I'm looking forward to the years ahead to see the boy who you will become... 

Age 3 - Driving his truck off the wall, Penn's Campus

Meet Olivia

 I finally got my butt in gear to meet my newest (2nd) niece, Olivia Rose Styles.
She is beautiful.
She was born September 26th in the very early morning.
My dad held up a picture on his phone of Ellie when she was born and they look like the same kid. Amazing right?

Car Inspection = Thankfulness

We have an amazing and deeply trusted mechanic. He is a neighbor of the Brindley's, a Christian, and he is also one of our supporters (our salary is based on support from individuals & Churches). Mike is great.
Yesterday at 9:30am Alex and I dropped the car off at Mike's, walked over to the Brindley's and hung out for a few hours waiting for everything to be in order. We had a nice relaxing day; went for a walk, snuggled in bed and read stories, and had a hot chocolate date at Starbucks.
Three o'clock rolled around and there was still no phone call. (Dave was able to pick Lilia up from school.) Four o'clock rolled around and still no call. Five o'clock rolled around and the phone was STILL silent. Needless to say I was getting frustrated.
Finally at 5:15pm Mike called saying that the car was ready. Al (my father-in-law) drove us and our stuff over and I walked into the office.
All of my frustration melted when he handed me the bill. Seems ironic right?
Like I said, Mike is one of our supporters. Yesterday we needed a new muffler and he only charged us what they charged him for the piece. Now don't go asking for his number and expecting this kind of treatment, but that's not the point of my rambling.

At the Academy of Natural Sciences

As I was driving home with Alex I realized how much I missed Lilia. I grew ever grateful with every red light I stopped at that I am the face that she sees after school. I get to see my little girl after school; not just after dinner and tucking her in for bed. I am so appreciative of our job and also of our employer who values family over ministry and gives me the opportunity to be with my kids as they grow, while still having a hand in ministry when I can and when it fits with our whole family.

Drexel & God

Myself & Ashley

Last Saturday Dave set up a BBQ to welcome Drexel international students. We had over 230, mostly Chinese, show up!
The kids played nicely with our new team member's children while Dave and I got a chance to mingle.
I got to meet Ashley, pictured left. The funny thing is that Ashley isn't even a Drexel student. She is a Penn grad student. She complimented me on my necklace. That was the perfect segway to ask her about her cross necklace. I asked her if it had any meaning. Here's what she told me.
While she was studying at a university in China, missionaries were at her university and she attended a Bible study with them each week. Then she followed with, "But I haven't been baptized yet," which means I haven't fully decided to follow Jesus yet.
Wow! I mean wow! What are the odds? This girl was introduced to the gospel IN China. Now she comes to America to study and meets lots of Christians. I made sure she knew about Dave's Friday night Bible study and I got her information. Pray for Ashley that she would solidify her relationship with God during her 2 year study in America.