MSAFARA "caravan"

There is currently a huge crisis in Kenya. . .tribes are fighting and people are dieing. Our church is promoting prayer and fasting this week for Kenya. We all received red prayer ties to remind us to pray, especially for a group of pastors who are caravaning to Kenya on Tuesday to help with the unrest.
The boys insisted that our dog wear a MSAFARA bracelet just like they are wearing this week (they managed to keep it on him for most of the day yesterday!). Cole is sure the dog will help pray for the people of Kenya! On a more serious note. . .I was thrilled that Grant was able to tell our neighbor why he was wearing the bracelet—“that the people in Kenya are fighting and the pastors are going to go help them."

Please pray for the following:

• Pray for peace, stability and reconciliation between the 42 tribes of Kenya.
  
• Pray for the families of the 1500 people who have lost their lives.
  
• Pray for the 600,000 people displaced because of violence and destruction, many of whom lost everything they owned.
  
• Pray that the new power-sharing agreement between rival political factions will be effective.
  
• Pray that our partner churches Nairobi Chapel and Mavuno Church will be beacons of light and hope in the darkness surrounding them.
  
• Pray that the Msafara prayer caravan will be effective.

St. Patrick's Day

Last night we were in the car going to church for a pajama party and I asked the boys if they knew what holiday is next on the calendar.
Silence.
I reminded them it is March.
Silence.
"Ok, here's my hint. . . 'St.'" Cole shouts out, "St. Louis!!!" Good try, buddy!

Kid-Free Vacation

Terry and I were blessed enough to spend a whole week away from the kids in Riviera Maya. We did nothing the whole week! It was wonderful--the beach was beautiful, as you can tell, and the pools were phenomenal!

Thanks mom and dad, uncle Brett and Trennen & Emily for taking excellent care of the kids. . .we were worry free all week!

cole's friends

Because of the snow delay today, our schedule went out the window. . .so we missed Cole's nap and he ended up having a late afternoon rest time. I found him with all of his favorite stuffed animals playing Webkinz cards. . .so cute!

dog update

So, Wrigley has been with us for almost 2 months. He is definitely part of our family. The boys are EXTREMELY attached: it's a race in from the van to see who gets to Wrigley's crate first, lots of kisses before the boys leave for school and before bed and lots of carrying the dog around!



This dog is CRAZY about the snow. . .he goes out numerous times a day to run, jump and play.Wrigley has learned a few tricks. . .We had a school delay this morning, so Luke decided he wanted to record a "show" of the tricks that Wrigley has on his "mastered" list (this is what Luke calls it!)

a glimpse of Valentine's Day at our house

Taxes

Grant and I were making some Valentine candy this afternoon and here is how our conversation went:

Mom: Grant, mommy really appreciates it when you help me in the kitchen.

Grant: I like to cook.

Mom: You do? Do you think you would like to do that when you grow up?

Grant: Maybe.

Mom: You don't have to. . . you can be a football player if you really want.

Grant: Yeah, I think I will be a football player without taxes.

Mom: Without taxes? What do you mean?

Grant: I'm not giving all my money to the president. He wants to take all of our money so he can get rich. I'm going to be one of the players that doesn't pay taxes. I don't like our president, I like the presidents like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. They won't make you pay taxes!