The Barn

Well, we never thought we would live in Garland, or on a farm. Never thought I would have a house with a porch, but realized that deep down, I had always wanted one. huh, funny.

Micah commented when we moved here that he had always wanted to live on a farm. Cool.

Never say never.

So, these are the serious gifts from God--we are still in shock as we sadly leave Garland, and now Sachse (where the barn is)--2 suburbs of Dallas. Wow. We knew our time was limited in the FBC Garland house--the next family was coming in May. We needed a place to stay for 3 weeks as finished up school and now will make our way to a cross cultural training course, also for 3 weeks.

Our friend Janie sent out a prayer request and the owner of this place generously offered it up--it's for sale and we are staying there--still has linens, dishes, etc. from when they lived there--incredible peace and loads of interesting things. Here are a few pictures.

Felt like the house in Garland was our safe house as we dealt with a health crisis and now this place is a place of restoration--so gorgeous!!!

The front porch where we can read and just look at everything--see lots of birds -- I think we are on a birdie and insect back country road--we just get a regular stream of one bird/insect or maybe 2 just meandering on their way--so funny.

We have also seen lots of friendly dogs and a coyote...

The coyote--think he's young and bold--came before dusk, just trotting by like no big deal!

I did not know that horses act like dogs--they are so cute! They greet us--coming up right to us. They can be mischievous, too...one day, Reagan started chewing on the seat of my parents' van!! I was trying to catch Reagan below greeting Aaron through the window, but just missed him. The driveway is in the pasture, so they come right up to us and stick their noses in the windows and just get all up in our business! One day, Sunny blocked me from leaving the driveway--just put himself right in the way and wanted me to pet him--I was like, "OK, I have to go to Target now... ok, gotta go--move on... ok, I love you!" He immediately moved on when I said I love you :). ha!!! Either I scared him with too much love OR he was waiting for the secret password and that was it?

Here's the barn part...to the left of the back alum. door is a regular door that leads to the driveway...

We walk past the stalls and then, the door that leads to the living quarters in the barn.

The sign says Texas is No Place for Amateurs--right below is the Ugandan flag--we kept it up during our time here--I like the blend of our lives :).

Here is the kitchen and living room and hats...

Yes, it's true, if we stay with you, we will wear your stuff... Cheeky!

Day one--I love Aaron holding Emma Shae!
Mama and baby!
Soccer practice and horses--this one is Micah's--he calls him Stallion, but his name is Reagan.
Another shot of the land and some of the animals... Sunny is the Black horse and Phoenix is the light horse... Cows come and go--someone keeps their cows on the land. There is always something new.
I love this!

Easter

This is the Saturday before Easter. Soccer game followed by the baby chicks visit at Kearney's Feed Store in Sunnyvale.

I love what baby animals do to siblings!

Then, on to the Hines 10 Acres for some good 'ol fashioned egg dying and Travis carrying the Cross....
On the porch with Travis' parents and Wendy's parents, too. Very nice!
The eggs--hard boiled and dyed.
Lucy came in late due to a nap.
A little post egg dying dance in the garden--this is why you have girls.
Easter morning--cool, giant bubble wands...
Great church service at Transformation Anglican Church in Rockwall--they ring bells and had a lovely, vibrant celebration to ring in the holiday. I feel especially grateful this year that through the death and resurrection of Jesus--while there is mystery in suffering and such--there is also Hope--of change, of healing, of purpose and meaning--whew, what a relief! Said good-bye to my parents and then back to the 10 Acres to search for the eggs.

Mallory and Georgia lean in to hear instructions from Travis.
Mallory, Lucy, Emma Shae, Georgia, Micah and Jesse ready to get those eggs!
There is nothing cuter than kids bent over getting eggs!
Micah and Jesse get serious.
Of course, the hen house....
Yes, donkey's, freshly shorn al paqua's
This is hularious--don't underestimate the number 4 Hines, Julia...
She was quickly reviewing the layout and then off to get her prize!!!
Lucy, Emma Shae and Mallory in the Wysteria.

Wendy and Leslie--oh, and Emma Shae snuck in :)

A few pictures..

Yes, Mallory caught drinking the water--nice, polluted city park water :).

The Kids

So, how are the kids doing with all of this? Seemingly well, except Mallory and Emma Shae got warnings at school today. That's really the first problem! Not bad for 4 months of transition.

Emma Shae told me going to school was much better than home schooling. Thanks.

We have been very watchful and truly amazed that they seem to be thriving. We haven't gotten as plugged in at school as we usually would, but we are putting lots of time into the relationships with the Hines kids.

Micah is really in to Legos and random projects. He made our house into a city and posted signs all over the house renaming everything--he kept laughing eerily--made me think of a world domination laugh. He also drew an elaborate security system for their room--it's to the left of the door and you have to punch a code to come in or hot lava will get you. The kids each have their own hand print that allows them access to the room (yes, they continue to share one room). This came a couple of weeks after Micah had developed a charging system to coming in their room--parent tax. I keep meaning to get a system of chores and allowance back up and running!

Emma Shae has been doing well, especially considering everything. She was having trouble getting back into school (despite what she said...), but this week and last, she is all motivated. Saw that Time magazine was talking about bribing kids in school, well the opposite is happening for Emma Shae. Her teacher has been explaining that the books she is sending home cost $5 if they loose them. So, this week and last, Emma Shae has done her homework right away, "so, she doesn't have to pay $5" and sit out at recess. Fine. You go, girl!

Mallory is always full of surprises and keeping us all laughing. She can struggle with her new routine off and on and frankly, this girl is ready to just be in school with the big kids. Recently, we went for a family hike and she was so happy and excited and Micah was explaining that we were going west (I don't know that we were, but he had his very important voice on that the woods tend to bring out and he was leading us on expedition) The next thing I know Mallory has pooped out and through clinched teeth said in a low voice, "I'm tired of going west!" I quickly scooted up to the front--yikes! This was after she had already drank from the stream that we were putting our feet in--I thought Aaron was going to pass out--too much knowledge from Tropical Medicine course :). We are in the URBAN jungle...

This week, Leslie is going to do a little hour with the kids about them being in team and what to expect. I am curious to see what they say.

A few pictures...

Micah waiting his turn at an Easter egg hunt--week before Easter at our church in Houston--Windwood Presbyterian.

Our friend John has mercy on Mallory who got shy in her hunt. I love the heart of youth workers!
Having fun at the Easter egg hunt!
Micah set up all his animals and taught them school. Mallory assisting.
A much needed Spring Break--got to go to Sea World one day. For our friends from out of the country, if I could visit one city in Texas, it would be San Antonio--what a great snap shot of Texas culture and fun -- also, Sea World is such a quality park!
Feeding the dolphins.
Great to be near two families from residency who are in the Dallas area. This is a park within walking distance from our house and in yellow is Eliana and Madeleine Graves. Not pictured due to taking a snooze is baby Judson.
Dr. Seuss' Birthday celebration. Ms. Malone's mom made these for Emma Shae's class.
Aaron gets careful direction from Emma Shae
The first few weeks we were here, our friends the Graves brought over toys for the kids and one of them was a puppet show--the kids were all over it when they got home and Micah turned out to be a witty puppeteer!

First Baptist Garland had a special princess tea for the little girls. Emma Shae asked for her picture with this friend.
Our table was so cute--they took pictures of the moms and daughters, which were available right after the tea and then as the girls came in, they made the matting that would go around the picture. It was a well organized and beautiful tea.
We were so excited to go together. It was the first time we have done something with just the two of us--usually Mallory is with us! This happened to be a day of prayer for Emma Shae and then her miraculous avoidance of a bone marrow biopsy was the very next Monday. What a special day!
Valentine's princess'--Gammy gave them money and they got these outfits!
A sweet visit from Waco friends--the Wehmeyer's. Not pictured is baby Avi and her parents, but Cade and Zane and our kids are enjoying a post snow play snack.
It snowed all day this day--amazing!

First day of the new sch0ols.