Happy 2nd Birthday, Benjamin!

Here's the happy kid eating his Birthday cinnamon roll!

Since I was able to go to Scotland, I visited a Disney store and picked up a few novelty items from the movie "Cars!" Ben LOVES that movie and was so excited to see the "Car" things. Here he is talking on his "Car" cell phone.
Also, I find it interesting that the BIG sisters were dying to play with their 2 year old brothers new toys!

Look at all the new Hot Wheels!

Ben getting a Birthday ride around the garden with Mr.Daniel!

My feeble attempt at Lightening McQueen... it would be pretty accurate if it didn't look like it just smashed into a wall! Hee hee! Ben loved it though and knew RIGHT AWAY what it was! "Mom - wook! Caw!"

His words, not mine.

Goofy Benjamin with his FAVORITE meal of hotdogs and homemade fries.

Ben's favorite friend, four year old Franky.

The sugar is hitting the system... with an entire bottle of RED food coloring... It was pink until I used the WHOLE bottle~ ASK JEFF!

Happy Birthday, you sweet boy! :)

Back to Blogging!

Blogging has definitely taken a backseat over the last few months... I apologize to those of you who faithfully visit this site to check up on your grandchildren, or children, or friends... Please don't take it personally.


There are just times when it is a little more conducive to blog and times when it isn't. And inspiration is definitely an important ingredient. Unfortunately, I can't really blame the lapse on lack of inspiration. The truth is my children do multiple things in any one day that seem very blog worthy. It has been more a lack of time and cooperative technology that has kept me from putting in the extra effort to keep you all in the loop.


Today I have a little extra time, because it is a Monday afternoon, where Jeff is in Arusha with school responsibilities, Benjamin is napping, the girls are running around like fairies in the garden, and I am left to myself. I know, I know, WHY AM I SPENDING THIS TIME BLOGGING?!? Because I CAN!!! :) All the pieces are here... technology is working, I have the time, and I am very inspired.... sooo here goes...

Pasaka Njema!!!!

Pasaka Njema = Happy Easter!

Each year, the girls and I have made an Easter garden on Good Friday.

It includes the Garden of Gethsemane, the crosses, the tomb. This year on Wednesday of this special Holy week the girls came running inside to tell me they had a surprise. When they took me outside, this is what I saw. They were so excited and I was too as I sensed the girls excitement of celebrating what Jesus has done for us.

The little guy at the cross at the top is a people bead that they said was Jesus.

This is not the most aesthetically pleasing Easter Garden, but to me, it is the most precious one we've made yet!

The whole fam in our... we are growing out of our clothes and shoes in Africa wardrobes... hee hee!

WOW! Such a surprise!

Anna clutching her new "favoritest" treasure - a Bible from Gramma and PopPop Holcomb!

She keeps rereading Matthew 28:5-8 out loud and saying it is her favorite part of the Bible.

This is a special Easter for Sarah as it is the first one since she became God's child. The whole picture of what Jesus did for her is more clear than ever and she helped to explain it to Ben.

Ben says a HUGE thank you to his cousins, Ashton and Aidan, for properly outfitting him for such an important occasion!

Rain, Rain, Come To STAY!

This Father and Son duo were THRILLED to welcome the rain when it started a little over a week ago. It only took a matter of moments to get drenched to the skin in this downpour.

It will never cease to amaze and delight me when the rains come... even though it creates massive amounts of mud, mess, and muckiness, the lit faces of EVERYONE you see in Tanzania testifies to the JOY that comes with the rain.

Nevermind that most Tanzanians walk to school, work, market on the roads of muck. Nevermind, that with the rain comes cool nights and the onset of sickness for many.

Rain means that the corn can grow- which is LIFE to so many.

It also means access to water for living and perhaps continued electricity supply if there is enough!

May I never complain because of the "inconvenience" of rain.

Time for a new carseat???

JUST KIDDING! Sarah doesn't use this carseat, Ben does!

It doesn't seem like it was so long ago that she did use this...

I can't believe how fast time flies, and how slender and tall my sweet "chunky monkey"
baby has become!

She did actually fall asleep here one lazy Saturday afternoon.

What?!?! NOT SARAH!!!!

See all those pearly whites?!?

Now look at all those pearly whites - minus one!

Congratulations Sarah Rebekah!!!

Just Being A Boy!

Two separate days.

Two different types of dirt.

One happy boy.