Haiti (Days 4-9)

 Monday thru Friday Nick would have to leave each morning to head to different Trade Schools to visit them and have meetings most of the day.  While he was away during the day I would do school with the kids in the mornings until about 10am.  Then the boys and I would walk over to Jan and Vals and hang out for the day.  The boys typically went off playing while I either helped around the house, or sat and talked with Tess or Alisha while Val was busy.  I don't have any pictures but a couple days I helped Alisha get ready for the next team that was coming in.  Nothing big, just small little jobs here and there.  In the evenings we would either go out to eat with the Gutwein clan, eat at their place, or eat at the guest house we stayed at.

Went out to eat at this Chinese place in Les Cayes

Here is a picture of us on top of the guest house.  Last time I was here in 2010 there was no second story to the guest house and there wasn't this really neat view.  So it was nice to climb to the roof and check it out.  

Another afternoon we all headed to the beach for some sun.  Jan and Nick both met us here in the evening for dinner.  It was fun eating on the beach and having really yummy lobster and fish.

One day Elijah and I went with Nick to the trade school Chantel.  We started off by singing songs in Creole.  Very interesting to say the least.  It was a good challenge.  While nick was in the meeting Elijah and I actually sat there and played hangman and dot to dot game quietly.  The meeting was of no interest to him or I and we had no clue what they were talking about for the most part.  However, I was glad to go to see what one of the schools looks like.

Above: eating at a restaurant after the meeting in town.  Very local food and because of that I didn't eat much of anything.  Not knowing how it was prepared and cleaned made me extremely nervous.  Last trip I was so sick from the foods, that this year I played it safe.  Glad I did now, because I never once was sick.
Below: this is the entry to the trade school we visited.  The older children had just arrived for their classes and it was, I believe, their opening prayer and instructions for the day.

One afternoon Nick got back early from his meetings and Uncle Jan was able to take us to CRP.  Oh how I loved seeing this place.  What a vision Zack B. had!!

The boys riding on the top of the jeep.  Definitely their favorite place to ride!!

These two girls took hold of my hands and I literally melted.  So precious.

Tess and I decorated Uncle Jan and Aunt Vals home for christmas one afternoon.  Alisha swung over when she had a chance.  She was busy getting ready for the incoming team.

On Saturday morning we flew out of Les Cayes in my Uncle Jan's plane.  We were crammed in and we had a bit to much luggag so we left a bag back in Haiti to lighten our load.  Thankfully the team that came next was from Bluffton so they brought our bag home with them the following week and we have our bag in our possesion now:).

Thanks Uncle Jan for the safe quick flight from Cayes to Port.....typically a 4 hour drive by car and it took us 45 minutes by plane.

Our flight from Port flew into Fort Lauderdale, Florida and we had an 8 hour lay over.  We weren't about to sit in the airport that long, so we got a taxi and went to the beach.  So fun to soak up some sun and enjoy a meal across from the ocean.  Ate at a hamburger joint.  Yummy!!!

We got home Sunday morning at 2am and were up and at it for church the next morning.  I think the boys enjoyed their trip and it was good for them to see a different culture.  Did they learn as much as I would have like to them have learned???  No, but perhaps my expectations were just a bit high:).

Haiti (Days 1-3)

Friday~ November 28th, 2014

Bags are packed, and Elijah and Caden are beyond excited to leave the country for their very first time. 

 Haiti....Here we come!!  Elijah checking to see if our plane is on time and what gate we are departing from.

 Jetway was freezing cold in Chicago.  Temps were in the teens.

 The check in lady told us to inform the pilots that it was the boys first time flying....and so we did.  The pilots let them in the cockpit and even sit in their seats.  Pretty cool for them.

 The boys had an eye full as we drove four hours from Port Au Prince to Les Cayes Haiti.  I had previously told them about the poverty of this country, but I am certain my explanation of it didn't do justice as they sat in silence as they peered out the window.

  On Saturday, we went to Simone Orphanage to visit the kids and show our boys where it was that Nick and I's first trip to Haiti was and where we came all week doing different jobs.  We played a bit with the kids and then passed out some candy to the orphans.  So precious.  One of my favorite things was the fact that I got to see one of the girls that was a baby when we first went and she was still there and so grown up.  When she arrived several years ago she was malnurished and in a sad state.  Thankfully to this day she is thriving and growing and looks so happy.  Poor picture below but she is the second girl on the right side of the picture.

 After the orphanage we went with Jan, Val, Derek, Joel, Tess, Dan, Sophia, Adam, Alisha and Brent to these amazing falls.  It was so beautiful to see this in the midst of poverty.

 We hiked right up to the falls and walked right behind them.  So neat!!!

 On Sunday we crammed into this van.  There were 19 of us in this one vehicle!!  We headed to a church in Les Cayes where literally 100's of poor children come to worship and receive mana packs from a missionary family that lives in Haiti to support this mission and arrange this service for these children.

 Here we are shaking 200+ childrens hands as they enter the "church" (which is pictured below).  Many of these children were half dressed and poor.  I was extremely overwhelmed as tears streamed down my face to see the number of kids come to not only get mana packs(rice packs to take home to help feed them) but also to learn about Jesus our Savior.  Listening to these kids and watching some of them praise his name put me to shame.  No, I couldn't understand what they were saying, but the look on their faces as they closed their eyes and held up their hands in praise was a tear jerker for me. To watch them play a game, win and then receive a new outfit as their prize was pricesless.  Some kids came out with their new clothes on as proud as ever and then there were a few that were so bashful and hid their faces as they walked past all the other kids.  Here at this church, if they misbehave they are sent out and do not get to go home with a mana pack thus keeping this 200+ crowd of children under control.

 This little boy really took a liking to Elijah.  He pretty much sat here the whole church service.

 After church on Sunday we all went to Rainbow beach.  Ahhhh such beauty.  Great waves and we all got to ride them in.  So fun!!

TO BE CONTINUED:

Basement Blues

First off, let me make it clear I love having a basement.....BUT with basements comes some negative aspects as well.

It started about two weeks ago when my son comes up explaining to me the basement carpet was wet.  So I head down to see why and what was wrong.  It was one long line of wetness and that was all I could see.  So I grabbed a towel and began soaking it up saying "ellie must have spilled her sippy cup of water".  Well, about 3 days later my son comes up once again and says "mom, the same spot is wet again".  This time I rush down and do a bit more searching.

I open up the basement closet that goes under the stairs and wow.....stench galore!!  Smelled like stale water.  Once I walked into the closet my socks get soaked!!  Then I notice this.....

 so I pull up the carpet just a bit and see that the entire nail boards that hold the carpet down are drenched.

So I call nick and ask if its ok I start pulling up carpet so this can dry?  He doesn't think its necessary actually and so I get out the fans and start drying it out as best as I can.  In the meantime I figure out where the leak is (from the heater) and put a dish under it to catch the water and will let nick figure that out when he gets home.

Ok, so I really really knew this needed dried out properly as the baseboard was soft from the water sitting there and the closet smelled so bad.  I was afraid of mold to be honest so I went ahead and removed the door.  (solid wood mind you!!)

 Well, I didn't stop there.....I pulled up the carpet anyways.

 and propped toys under the carpet to allow air flow underneath.

 And I am happy to report two weeks later the door is back on, the carpet is laid back down without any damage done and our kids are happily playing in the basement again.
Oh the joys of owning a home with a basement!!!

Ellie's Bedroom DIY

Back in August I tried my hand at my first ever furniture DIY projects.  I accomplished bookshelves and also a kitchen table for our basement.  Then when school started I decided to attempt an entire bedroom set for little miss Ellie Mae.  This was my furniture when I was living at home.  My parents so kindly gave it to us for Ellie and because I wasn't very careful as a kid with water glasses I ruined a lot of the woodwork.  Here are some pictures of the process and the finished project.

filled in with wood putty where the old hardware was and then primed it with 3 coats!!!

Nick has a sprayer so that made the process so much easier.  No paintbrushes involved for the paint.

cant really tell here but have two different turquoise knobs

Ellie's first night in her new bed.  She loved it and we had NO problems in the transfer!!

School's In Session

 School year 2014-15 is now in session.  Can it be that I really have a 7th grader, a 4th grader and a Kindergartner???  It just me and Ellie at home and wow, the house can be quiet and wow.....I can get a lot done in one day:).  Our usual large morning breakfast that Nick stays home a little longer to make for the kids.  Then takes pictures and away he goes to work while the kids head off to their first day of school.

 Liam was beyond excited to go.  Entering the school building as a Kindergartner for the first time!!!

 Love you boys like crazy and pray that you can be a light to those around you and a good example.  Here is to a wonderful year at Cornerstone!!!!