Wow! 9 months in the USA!

We have had a super busy week because Josh & Cate were in a swim camp all week everyday after school.  They did such a great job swimming on spring break that I thought they might enjoy learning the strokes.  They learned free style, back stroke, breast stroke, butterfly, and diving.  They learned a new stroke everyday and then had a test on Friday.  They both got almost all A's (which means they mastered the stroke) and encouraged to join the team.  After talking with the coaches we decided the team might be too much for right now.  It has practice 6 times a week.  Very intense.  So we are not going with the team now but the week of swimming was great.

This past weekend we did some traveling.  We drove to Brook, IN to see Jeff's mom, Grandma Joan Clark.  We were able to enjoy time with her all afternoon and evening on Saturday.  We took her out to dinner at the local restaurant and really had fun watching Grandpa Clark's favorite movie "The Great Race". 

On Sunday we drove on to Brownsburg, IN where we helped Luke & Susi (our oldest son & wife) move into their new home.  We love the house and it was fun to be able to help them out.  Josh & Cate pitched right in with the chores.  Nick & Autumn showed up also and of course they had Nolan so we really thought it was a fun afternoon! Anytime you can have family all together it is a good day!  We wished  Courtney & Zach could of joined in the fun!  We missed them.

Josh & Cate found an old skate board we had around so they tried that out a few times.  No broken bones yet.  Plus we keep having alot of windy days so the kites are always fun.

Spring school pictures were recently taken.  Check out the 2 adorable children below.

 You can see what a fun weekend we had.  Josh & Cate are seeming to feel more at home here with us each day.  We thank God for the blessings and challenges they bring into our lives.  Thanks for praying for us, reading the blog, and always make it your goal to keep....

Choosing joy,
Chris & crew

Easter 2012

Josh & Cate were a great help at celebrating Easter in the USA.  We had to color eggs and make a bunny cake of course.  In the midst of family dinners and egg hunting we also took time to explain what was so great about Easter.  This is when we celebrate Christ rising from the grave after he took our sins to the cross.  We had some great conversations about this and are once again thankful to KGCH in the Philippines for the Godly start in life they gave to Josh & Cate.  These kids have a great biblical foundation for being so young.  Praise God for KGCH.  Thank you! 

Grandma Carol & Grandpa Bob came to celebrate with us plus our oldest son, Luke, was able to join our festivities and we loved having him with us.  Thanks Luke for making the drive.  We missed the others....Susi (traveling in Ireland/England), Nick/Autumn/Nolan and Courtney/Zach and Grandma Joan.

Church on Sunday was amazing and we all wore our finest clothes.  The 4 of us worked hard for matching outfits.  We thought it was fun that Josh & Jeff were twins plus Cate and I looked similar.  Josh woke up with a stiff neck and he is standing a little crooked in these pictures.  It was a painful day for him but he is tough and was not about to miss out on anything!

As soon as church was over and the pictures were taken it was back to the play clothes and the outdoor fun.  Kite flying was the best part of the windy afternoon.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for new kites.  They flew even better here then on the beach.

Of course we need a few special pictures of our grandson Nolan to end the updates.  We were able to facetime with him on Easter and that was really fun.  He was visiting his other Grandma & Grandpa and I know that was fun for everyone. 

 Children are just such a precious gift from God.  We love all of our family and are so thankful for their love for the Lord.  Happy Easter!  We serve a risen Christ!  It doesn't get any better than that.  I pray you know Him today.

Choosing Joy,
Chris & crew