Daddy bonding!

Micah lights up when he has his girls in his arms. They have had some good bonding time this week with Micah being home more.

This is a very common scene. One arm to hold Elli. And the other to keep Lydia off of Elli.

My mom sent some of Lydia's newborn clothes. It is so special to see Elli in Lydia's clothes. I didn't expect that to be sentimental for me, but it definitely is.

Roy and Kristy brought us dinner Tuesday night. They also brought Elli some mittens, Lydia some new sunglasses and hair bows, and me a Jello No Bake Cheese Cake mix! I don't have an oven, so my baking cravings have had to go deprived.

We are so grateful for our friends here! Our team and our cell group and our friends from church have been wonderful! We feel so loved and cared for. Thank you!!!

Learning to be sisters

Lydia has done really well playing by herself. The other day she put on every piece of jewelry she owns.

I thought it was so cute I did a photo shoot.

She is so serious. Getting them on just right is important to her.

She has also taken advantage of our being tied up with Elli. Yesterday Lydia was too quiet. I went hunting and found her in the bathroom putting her toothpaste on her legs like lotion. HA! What a mess.

And this is what Elli does. She is a lazy girl right now. She did stay awake for almost two hours today. And has slept non stop the rest of the day. I had forgotten how sleepy the little ones are.

We are home!

Elli and I were both doing so well that both of our doctors discharged us the morning after she was born. By noon we were out the door on our way home.

Lydia is still doing quite well adjusting to having a sister. She is a kisser. Giving baby Elli kisses is one of her favorite things to do right now. And if you will notice, she only accepts kisses on the lips.

When we arrived home I had presents, flowers, and food waiting for me! Micah bought an oil scent burner for me that is beautiful and smells amazing! He had our friend Kristy come and light all the candles as we were on our way home. She also made hummus and falafel and had pita and fresh veggies out for us! I was overwhelmed! I felt so loved!!

Micah is enjoying Elli's sweet cuddles. He is paralyzed when she is in her arms.

They could just sit like this for hours.

Lydia is a bundle of energy. She keeps us on our toes. We are grateful for her excitement. She keeps us smiling.

Elli is doing great. Mostly just sleeping. But looking oh so cute is everything she does.

She is a sucker! She seems to enjoy sucking more than Lydia. Lydia never cared for a pacifier or any of her fingers.

Elli is here!!! Happy Birthday Elli!

Thursday night we checked in to the hospital. And the waiting began.

Yatta yatta yatta... and then today at 2:34 p.m. out popped Elli!

She is perfect! She weighs 7lbs. She is a quiet peaceful angel. She barely cried at birth. This world is cold and bright and shocking. But she took it like a champ.

She opened her eyes almost immediately and took it all in.

Micah was amazing!

He was my support. Last time we had moms and dads and grandmothers and siblings to help Micah carry the load. This time he played superman and did amazing! After a significant lack of sleep and many hours of running on adrenaline, this is what you look like. :)

Roy and Kristy brought Lydia to the hospital to see her new baby sister.

We received a package in the mail that they also brought to the hospital. Before Lydia met Elli we sat and opened the package together. It had a book and a card from her friend Caileigh from Georgia! How special! We couldn't have planned that better.

And then in came Elli. No longer in mommy's tummy.

I think she got it!

She was pretty excited. She couldn't wait to get her hands on Elli.

We are going to have to be on guard with our big sister helper around. She is ready to carry Elli around and care for her all by herself.

Dad steps in and lays down the law. We have to be gentle with our little Elli.

So sweet! My family!

The hospital has these little mini hospital gowns for the babies. They are so cute, so little.

Now Micah and Lydia are home resting. They will return to Elli and I in the morning. Elli is lying next to me asleep. Quiet and pleasant! Rest is what is next on the agenda.

A brief update on Micah

Micah has been spending 1 day a week at an Afghan Refugee school. Many of the Refugees here are not allowed to attend local schools. Small private schools have started up to invest in the young refugees as well as their communities.

While Micah was there last week a company donated flour and oil to the school to help with their bread making costs. And our church donated shoe boxes stuffed with gifts for Christmas.

Here are some of the kids participating in an activity.

This little girl met Lydia once and has not stopped asking about her since. So sweet!

There are about 40 students at this particular school. Micah really enjoys being with them. He came home recently talking about the similarities to our experience working at the Children's Home. That particular day he had to repeatedly break up fights between two 8 year old boys. They were cutting each other down by talking negatively about the other's parents. Those "Momma" jokes are cross cultural. But the cut is so deep when it is carries elements of truth in it. Micah was able to talk to each of them alone and ask what was going on. These are the moments we live for (well not necessarily breaking up fights, although Micah has plenty of experience with that from being an Resident Assistant in a college dorm, working at a high school, and a children's home). Conflicts often open up doors to talk of our depravity and our only hope for freedom.

There are a handful of older boys. Micah was there when a group came to do activities with the children, but they did not have anything for the older kids. So, Micah took the boys into another area and spent time with them. They taught him a new game.

This school has a lack of teachers. So there are periods during the day when a class is without anything to do. Micah has become a fill in. They also recently asked him to teach next semester. We are still praying about whether or not to do that.

Last week Micah went with a Phil and a friend that is studying at a International Islamic University here to check out the logistics of taking courses. He wouldn't be able to begin until June. We don't know if this is something Micah will pursue, but it is something we are considering. It would be a great way to build relationships and understand more on Islam. Pray for guidance and wisdom with the various decisions we are thinking through.

He really took the picture of the University so you could see the trees. Aren't they cool!

Only 1 more week until our little Elli is due to come.

I realize I left you in suspense. I failed to show you the final product of our Batik outing. Here is Lydia's mater piece. I am amazed! If you would have seen her in action, you would have never thought such beautiful colors would result.

And here is my attempt at Batik. Elephants are a favorite for Lydia for Lydia right now.

Micah and Lydia have been working to build the tallest tower possible. This one was pretty impressive.

They even carried it into the kitchen area to show me while I was preparing dinner.

Hi Grandma!! Micah got a shot of us skyping my mom. I don't even remember him taking this picture. We must have been in deep conversation over her newly painted walls. :)

Lydia must have gotten bored with us. She is just like her daddy. Always pulling out a book when there is a moment of down time.

Saturday we put up Elli's bed. It has been really exciting talking about her arrival. We are trying our best to prepare Lydia. It reminds us of how we are awaiting the arrival of Christ. Elli is here in me now, but she is not here with us the way she will be very soon. We live in anticipation. Elli could come anytime now. And we live our days differently, making sure we are able to get to the hospital at the unexpected moment. Micah has been a huge encouragement. Reminding us often of what we are living for! We are like Lydia. Trying to grasp the reality that Christ is here with us, yet He is coming to reign and be with us in a way we have not yet experienced. We live our lives differently with this promise and assurance. I don't know if that makes sense. Micah said it much better. But the beauty of this analogy has a grip on us now as we eagerly wait for Elli to come!

Woo-hoo! We got a camera!!

This week we had lots of doctor visits.

Here is Lydia playing as we wait to see her Pediatrician for her vaccinations.

Along with another little boy waiting to see the Doc.

It's amazing how all little people become instant friends.

Then we went to my OBGYN to check up on Elli.

And Lydia got her usual special treatment. The midwife that assists our doctor spoils Lydia with chocolate every time.

We also made a trip to the dentist this week. We didn't manage to get a picture of that, but you know how exciting the dentist is.

Friday, Lydia and I went to do Batik! I love doing Batik!

Lydia's painting was interesting. I let her go wild. Despite my doubt, her butterfly turned out beautiful! And it is super special because it is totally her doing!

I managed to monitor Lydia and paint my own. So fun!

We have visitors here from the states. We have been showing them around town and exposing them to some of the work we are involved in. They are interested in moving to this region to serve. Micah has taken them to the Afghan Refugee school and will take them to the Rohingya school tomorrow. It is a blessing to see them rejoice in how the Lord is working here.

Today after church we all went to lunch.

And then returned home for a Sunday afternoon rest. I would say nap, but Lydia decided we had enough sleep and should just hang out on mommy and daddy's bed instead.

Just a little picture update...

Lydia playing with my face. Baby Elli with only two and a half more weeks of baking to go.

Lydia giving me sweet kisses!

Lydia helping mommy push the buggy.

She got some free stickers at the grocery store.

Lydia playing at church.

More Myanmar Pictures

The reuniting at the airport!!!!! Lydia was actually really glad to see me despite the fact we do not have any pictures of her smiling with me, all the pictures we tried to take of her with me she was just so serious. When she saw me she started running to me but then tripped and fell. It was great to see Blair as we are not use to being away that long. Sorry these pictures are all out of order and backwards. That is what happens when the husband tries to do a blog.

Lydia was also very excited to see Lousia and Annie.

Barb saw this elephant in a shop and bought it for Lydia!

These guys were juggling this rattan ball near our hotel. I ended up playing with them later. They were very good.

Buddhist collecting money and they had these strange figures dancing around.

Sidewalk food like this was everywhere.

Phil's family joined us for the weekend.

Our crew with one gentleman who has started a reformed seminary in Myanmar.

This is the wife of a man who works with various leaders from our organization. He pastors a Presbyterian church and heads up another Reformed Seminary in Myanmar.

This is the class that we were with all week. They are seminary students, ministry leaders, and pastors.

The guy in the middle was my translator.

Myanmar

The country side

Seminary Students

The buddhist temple in the center of the city near where we stayed. Supposedly 2000 years old with reconstruction of course.

A mosque beside the temple downtown just opposite is Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Largest Pagota in the world (until recently according to google) measuring at 326 ft. high.

Supposedly the plot of land where Adoniram Judson lived and gathered for worship.

Arnold many decades ago at a bookstore on the side of the road.

Door bell on a string and typical street restaurant below.

My view from our hotel room.

Being in Myanmar (Burma) felt like we had been teleported 30 to 50 years back in time. There were many buses that were from the World War II era and most of the buildings were very old. While this country suffers greatly from poverty, it is a safe place for foreigners. Lonely planet said that Yangon is the most unlikely city for you to be robbed in South Asia, however you are more likely to trip on the bumpy sidewalks or fall into the sewer while walking around.

An after school program

Barefooted Football Downtown