pieces of joy.

Sometimes life just rolls by, and I’m so glad I have some photos to look back on and be reminded of the joys that are filling each day. That is the only thing that all these photos have in common: they are pieces of the joy that God continues to send into our lives.

I realize this might not bring such joy to everyone, but we bought a Braun thermometer while we were in England, and I absolutely love it! Its easy to use, especially with the littler kiddos. We knew we needed a different thermometer–something better than the $9 one we were using and cleaning off with alcohol swabs each time. This one is accurate, easy to use, and has probe covers to be more sanitary. (Well, until I found one little boy sucking on the probe cover I had used with another little kid…whoops. Still working on don’t-pick-up-trash-and-eat-it.)

Anyway, we are in the middle of flu season with lots of sick children and parents, and I am really thankful for this! I’m also really thankful to just be here to help with so many sick ones.

With all the sickness, some have stayed back from school. We took the opportunity to watch a little Beauty & the Beast. 

They got comfortable quickly.

This heart-shaped Disney Princess puzzle (with 3D princesses!) is the new favorite.

She is so tiny and adorable; and since Christmas, she is no longer scared of us! She just learned my name and likes to test it repeatedly to see if I’ll still answer.

One morning there was quite an argument/fight outside between a couple of the mothers and grandmothers. A couple kids, particularly the ones whose parents and grandparents were involved, quietly came over to the house trying to avoid it all. It was pretty loud and awkward, so I invited the kids into play and hopefully distract them. We ended up playing music loudly and getting lost into puzzles and toy cars.

While I sat there with Yuh Meh Oo, whose English is getting amazing, I drew these three faces. I pointed to the first and asked her if she understood “feeling happy;” she said yes. I then pointed to the next and asked if she understood feeling sad, which she did. Then I pointed to the next one and asked, “Do you understand scared?” She looked a little confused, so I continued, “Sometimes, when the police come, everyone comes to Stephen & Kelli’s…(I made a scared face and hiding motion)…and we feel a little scared.” She nodded her head that she understood, so I asked, “When mothers and fathers and grandmothers fight, do you feel scared?” She nodded an emphatic yes, and then curled up into my arms.

I’m not sure how to describe how I felt at this conversation–in some ways, its heartbreaking. In other ways, I felt such deep joy to be able to communicate about how she felt. I’m so thankful to give her a place to feel safe playing with puzzles and have worship music fill her ears instead of anger.

I’ll admit to having him pose, but he chose the shorts and necklace. It just reminded me of Rex Kwan Do on Napoleon Dynamite, “Take a look at what I’m wearing, people. You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I’m wearing these bad boys? Forget about it!”