Our last couple of weeks in America...

Just a quick recap of our final days (for now) in the States...

Our family took a much needed trip away!  We took our kids to the Creation Museum, which is one of our favorite places to visit.  It was so great to take our kids there for the first time!

On our way home, we stopped at IKEA to get a few things for the tribe.  Kaine saw these things (like a potholder type of thing--what are those things called??)--he called to me, "Hey mom!  We should get these because they look really tribe-y!"  It was so sweet.  It is very awesome to have our kids involved in this!

Picking out a blanket for their beds in the tribe...

Meanwhile, at home...my wardrobe became almost non-existent!  It was actually sooo freeing to just get rid of so many clothes.  It's amazing how much we accumulate.

We had a double birthday party for Kaine and one of his best friends, Carter.  This group of boys is something that we are TRULY thankful for!  Kaine has a great group of friends!

I spent a morning with my dear friend Jane.  She made us each a coffee cup.  Jane, I will think of you every morning when I drink my coffee!

We spent lots of time with family...

Another double birthday party for Kaine!  This time, with his little cousin August :)

I love this dramatic action shot...he is such a goof! 

Oh, and yet ANOTHER  double birthday party for Kaine!  What a blessed boy he is :)

Oh, our friends are just too much!  They got our kids these pillow cases with pictures on them, and then the kids signed them.  God has blessed us with the most thoughtful friends in the world, for real!

Playing some fun games with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Terri :)

Nathan's parents helped us get our luggage ready.  Their help was seriously invaluable.  I was super stressed for a day or 2, until they helped us get it all together.  Thank you, dad and mom!

Our amazing sending team and dear friends totally outdid themselves with a "see you later" party for our family.  They made it so memorable for us, and such a sweet way for us to say "see you later" to our friends and supporters!  We were so thankful for such a wonderful evening!

 Are these cookies not amazing???

 

Our friends.  We love them! Photo credit--my talented friend, Amy.  The next two pictures, too :)

The Three Musketeers, we call them.  Such sweet friends.  Their friendship is something rare, I am sure of that! And I just adore this picture! 

Our sending team.  Minus a few kiddos :)

We are so very grateful for  such an amazing sending church, and so many amazing friends and supporters.  We thank God every day for you all!  Also, stay tuned!  We are flying to PNG TOMORROW!  (breathe, Rachel)...keep praying for us!  And check the blog again--I want to post one more time before we fly.  Love you all!