Welcome to the neighborhood!!!

Someone once told me that it looks like all we do in Bolivia is "play". While we do try to have lots of fun, life isn't always peachy...This week our car was broken into while parked on the street in front of our house. After having a 24 hour all out pity-party, God gently reminded me that my focus should be on Him and Him alone. I knew God was reassuring me that He was in control when I opened my Bible to Matthew 6 and saw the subtitle, "Do not worry". I love the way that God sends reassurance when I need it. He is so good!

Wow! I didn't know that was possible!

Chau, Chau Radio!

Not even sure what was there, but it's gone now!!!

Praising God that the the damage was not greater, or that the whole car wasn't stolen. Looks like we will be out about $1500 to replace all the parts that are gone. While this is a lot of money, it's small in comparison to what it could've been.

Felices Pascuas!!!

We had a great time with the kids this Easter season. It was great explaining how much God loves us and what Jesus did for us. One of my favorite moments was talking with Jhon Kevin (age 5). He knew the story of the cross, and kept telling me that Jesus was on the cross and that he had nails in his hands. I explained to him that Jesus WAS on the cross, but is not there now...He is ALIVE!

Of course, we had an easter egg hunt as well...A first for some of them...

The egg coloring part!!!

Such concentration!

Let the hunting begin!

O.K., now what do I do???

Madison hunting very competitively

Look on the ground!!!

Counting up the goods!!!

Madison found the prize egg

I crack up every time I look at this photo...Priceless!

All the kids got a toy, chocolate bunny and surprise egg

Boys!!!

About a month ago, we welcomed brothers age 5 and 3 to our home. Things have been a bit more lively around here with two older children in the house. These guys are full of energy! Please pray for their continued adjustment to our home (their third orphanage) and for their adjustment to their new school.

**Our computer died about a month ago and was in the shop for 3 weeks...We're up and running again!!!**

New Arrival!!!

Last Thursday we welcomed the newest addition to CDA House III. J is 2 ½ years old and comes to us after living her entire life on the streets. She was found walking alone at 1:30 a.m. in one of the most dangerous parts of the city when the police picked her up. As you can imagine, J’s story is filled with heartbreaking details. We praise God that He removed her from such horrible conditions and brought her to us.

Please pray for J as she adjusts to life with us. Things that many of us take for granted (eating at a table, sleeping in a bed, bathing), she is experiencing for the first time. She also misses her mom terribly and cries for her a lot. Pray that God will give J peace in this time of transition and that He would give us wisdom and guidance.

Happy Birthday!!!

Turns out the twins weren't 10 months old when we picked them up from the hospital--they were turning 1 on February 28th! With our special guests in town last week, we decided to throw them a birthday party on Friday. Most of the kids from house 2 came to help celebrate along with 2 kids from house 1.


















Bring on the party!!!

















Anxiously awaiting cake!!!

















Yummy!!!


















Kat loved the cake...Ali, not so much!!
















Jon providing a little entertainment to the kids


















Kent crashing cars with the kids...

















Bring on the gifts!!! The girls had lots of gifts thanks to Christina, Jenn and Kim from Texas!!!

















Que Bonita!

Twins!!!

Today we picked up 10 month old twin girls from the hospital. We are so excited about the two new additions to our home. We don't know much about them, except they were removed from their parents for neglect and have been living in the hospital for the past 2 months. K was born with cleft lip and pallet. She has had one surgery already to repair the lip and will have another in about a month. Both girls are full of energy and love to smile...




















Welcome Home!!! Tia Pauline made a great welcome home banner...


















We got to visit them in the hospital yesterday



















Tammy and M



















T.J. and K

















Dressed in matching yellow dresses to leave the hospital.

Madison's first day of Preschool

Today, Madison attended her first day of preschool--ever...She was so excited to be going. She knew she had graduated to a new stage in life and was proud of her "big girl" status...








O.K., I'm ready!!!














We're here!!!















and I'm super excited...





























She had a great first day of school and wants to go back tomorrow--success!

To celebrate her first day of school we went to lunch at her favorite fried chicken place and had a few gifts waiting for her when she got home.