Wrapping up 2014

What a wonderful and blessed year 2014 has been for my family. I wanted to take this opportunity, on New Year’s Eve, to give a recap of our year.

In February, Andrew was able to climb Mt. Kenya! The Brown’s joined him, and they took the 4 day journey. It was an incredible trip, and was one item crossed off of his life bucket list.

              

We welcomed our precious son, Carson Bradley, into the world March 8. Two days later my mom and grandma flew in to be with us those first few weeks with him. It was so fun having my mom here once again, and introducing my grandma to Kenya. All of our friends were really impressed that she would make this big trip!

           

Andrew’s parents came to visit the month of July. What a huge help they were! Brad built us a gorgeous table, a closet for the kids room, and several other things. Karen helped out at the school and did a fantastic job. The teachers loved her and were very encouraged and motivated by her.

        

I was able to fly to the States in September with the kids to visit family for a few months. It  was very unexpected and we planned it 3 weeks before it happened. Andrew was planning a ministry trip up north that would be 3+ weeks. With the timing, it worked well for me to go to the States so I wouldn’t have to stay home alone with the kids. It was absolutely perfect, very timely, and left me feeling refreshed. Andrew was also able to come for the last 2 weeks of the trip. So glad he could join us and take a quick break.

  The kids loved the beach!

 Thankful for the friends I was able to see.

 

 

 

Took Andrew to his favorite American chain…Sonny’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carson’s first Halloween. Both kids first time dressing up and trick-or-treating.

 

 

Playing at the park.

 

 

Carson was dedicated at my home church FBC Pensacola. Such a precious time for our family!

 Walking on the beach with Grandpa. 

 

 

 

 

Last fishing trip just hours before we flew out of the country.

 

 

 

We hosted Thanksgiving for a lot of our new friends here in town. It was so much fun. We cooked a very traditional dinner with turkey and all! I won’t tell you how much our turkey cost, because it was outrageous, but it’s worth it when you live in another country!

  

Christmas was really special this year.  Now that we have our own 2 kids, we are beginning new traditions for our family. Kenya is very different than America in that you don’t really know its Christmastime when you are out in public. There is a Christmas tree in our grocery store, but you are not bombarded with decorations everywhere you go. We enjoy the simplicity of the season here. Yes I decorated my house, as much as I could actually. And the decorations might still be up I think since it is more low-key, I like the season to last a little longer.  

      

Just this year we are feeling more of a part of the community here in Nanyuki. It’s so nice to go into town and run into someone you know. We have made more Kenyan friends, as well as ex-pats that live in the area. There are lots of young people in Nanyuki that come and volunteer with an organization for a few years. We have been trying to reach out to them more, get to know them, and have them over for a meal. Which they don’t mind at all…they’re thankful for some American food.  

Adalyn has grown into a beautiful, sweet, stubborn, and compassionate 2 and a half year old. She is so much fun! She thinks every decision through, and gives her all in everything she does. Though this is a hard age, we consider it a joy that we get to raise her in discipline and grace. Carson is now almost 10 months. He never sticks to a routine because he wants our attention all the time, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my high-maintenance baby boy! He is so loveable and catches everyone’s eye with his sweet smile. I am beyond grateful for my 2 children.

As this year comes to a close today, I look back with thankfulness on how I’ve grown and everything the Lord has done for my family. It has been a year of changes, rejoicing, growing and healing. I’m so excited for 2015 and what it holds! 

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Gripping my Green Thumb

I am surrounded by family that loves to garden and plant! My father-in-law is an awesome gardener; if you know anything about him you know that! You name it, he’s got it! My mom too, she loves plants! When I was younger she had a vegetable garden, but now she is more into plants and flowers. Her yard is beautiful.

I’ve been trying to grip this green thumb for years now. When Andrew and I first got married I bought a tomato plant (that was already big with one tomato on it). It was dead within a month. When we first moved to Kenya, I planted a very small herb garden. It was also dead within a few months.

But….this time I’m determined! I have recently planted a HUGE vegetable garden. I planted 21 different things. From lettuce to cucumbers to onions to melons. I planted all the seeds almost 2 months ago. And now things are starting to grow!

But I’ll let you in on my little secret. Its not at all that my green thumb is present. Its that Kenyans are awesome gardeners! And I have help! A teacher at our school lives on our compound with us and she has been my lifesaver. She helped me plant, she goes out in the evening and waters it for me (I do too, but she beats me to it sometimes!), basically she helps hold me accountable.  A friend of ours who does our yard work has also been a huge help. And my biggest problem is weeds. I can’t tell what’s weeds and what’s not. So they have been a great help with that too.  There have already been times I’ve wanted to give up (it’s a big project!), but I’m too embarrassed with all these friends helping me. Is that a good reason?    

Hoping to eat from it soon! Come on over and I’ll share.

 

 

Summer with Rachel

This is a blog dedicated to my sister….Rachel.    

As many of you know, my younger sister Rachel came to stay with us this summer here in Kenya. We have been planning this for years, since before Andrew and I moved here actually. Back then I didn’t know if it would really happen, but it did, and it was a truly great summer with her!

I don’t think I realized how much I missed my family until this summer.  We have Skype (which is great!) and I talk on the phone to everyone, but after spending 2 and a half months with my sister, I am REALLY missing her these days!!  I was completely spoiled having her here for so long!

Rachel is studying Environmental Science at Florida State University.  She is just starting her senior year, and is very interested in living overseas when she graduates.  She had this summer free and came to do a sort of “internship” with us here in Nanyuki.  She planned science lessons to teach to the students in our school, she attended night activities with the boarding students, played with the kids at recreation time, went to tutor with me at the orphanage, and other random things. 

I knew that Rachel would be fine living here for a few months, but she completely exceeded my expectations!!  Seriously, sometimes I felt like she was way better at living here than I am!  Because I was at the end of my pregnancy I couldn’t do everything that I normally can, and that didn’t stop her! She would go join the kids even if she had to go alone, she would lead them in silly songs and dances, and had a great time getting involved.  Not to mention what a HUGE help she was around the house. She helped me cook dinner and cleaned my dishes almost every night, helped with laundry and so much more!

If you would have told me 10 years ago that when we grew up, Rachel would be one of my best friends, I would have laughed in your face. Seriously! We were like any normal sisters and fought all the time! But I am thankful to say that it is true…we have grown up and get along great now.  And I am so proud of her and who she has become. She is a beautiful, confident, God-fearing, and passionate young woman, and I wouldn’t trade anything for the summer I just spent with her! 

  Rachel teaching a song to the boarders. See her down there in the front? I think they were being pineapples at this part (Fruit of the Spirit Song).

Rachel teaching the students about volcanoes.