Look At Me!

Corban Walks
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Sorry for the quality. I'm not sure if I didn't have enough lights on, if we have a problem with our camera, or if you are witnessing Harmattan.

Where...what...how did he do that?

It's happening again...

What is it with boys and climbing?!

Tree Planting Photo Documentary

We have a small tree outside our gate that Brett decided to move to a new place in our yard.
Of course, Caden is his trusty sidekick.

Materials needed: big shovel AND little shovel
Task one accomplished. Big tree, little tree.
Tree...umbrella...what's the difference? It's still cool to carry it myself!
New home for big tree and little tree.
Add a little dirt...
...and a little water...

....and voila! Project completed.
Thanks guys!

Get Ready To Laugh

What parent hasn't done this with their kid's hair?!Corban wants to be in the middle of the fun but then sometime freaks out when he realizes where he is.

Caden: "Daddy, make a snowman!"
This is what happened...
Caden refers to anything that has been stacked up as a "snowman"....pillows, people, etc. And how does our child that lives in Africa know about a snowman??? From the classic video "Frosty", which he received from Nanna for Christmas last year!

And this last picture is just funny. You can title it yourself.

Love my boys!

More Presents

We got a special package in the mail this week from our sweet friends on our Mission Committee (Thanks Arlene!) So, Caden got to have a second party of opening up presents. There were three birthdays in this box: mine, Caden, and Corban's. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of me opening my presents (although I did enjoy the anticipation of what was beneath the wrapping) and Corban will have to wait until his birthday at the end of this month. On to the pictures....

Unwrapping presents is hard work and takes lots of muscles.


Pure joy and excitement over new blocks


Sweet! A new movie!


Yes, Caden built that all by himself.


And then little brother came and destroyed it and he had to start all over. These blocks continue to be a source of competition between the boys. Quite entertaining to watch.

Proverbs 15:1

One of the books Caden received for his birthday was My ABC Bible Verses. We started with "A" this week...

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Now...how do you teach him to actually do this? ;)

Phase One

... of the Big Boy Bed:


The pack'n'play was taking a beating with Corban sleeping in it every night so we decided he should have a real crib again. Since we gave our spare one away to friends who had twins, we needed to convert Caden's toddler bed back into a crib. This meant we had to put Caden into a "real" bed.
Without too much planning, we started the process and then realized Caden might not like the idea that we gave Corban his bed. So, I started thinking of ways to make his new bed "cool". Stuffed animals! What kid doesn't love them?...and we sure have plenty of them.
It worked! He was so excited about all his friends on his new bed he didn't seem to mind that Corban had a new crib (a.k.a. his old bed).

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Phase Two and Three will consist of adding the box springs, frame, and new sheets/blanket.

11 Months

This is Corban's last month before he turns one. So in honor of him being eleven months old, here are eleven things I want to be sure and remember about this stage in Corban Stewart's life.

1. approx. 22 lbs.
2. 7 teeth
3. walking while holding someone's hand
4. can squat from a standing position
5. attempts to sing
6. still nursing 3x / day
7. drinks like a mad-man from a sippy cup
8. has a unique "old man" sound he makes
9. smiles at anyone...and I mean anyone (this makes for an attraction of African's if we have to wait anywhere in the car)
10. seems to never stop moving unless buckled in a chair
11. still thinks his brother is the best thing!

We Love This THREE Year Old

Caden's birthday is Saturday, but we already had his party...so for all purposes, he's three now.

Birthday friends: Gabriel, Caden, Asher, Caleb

Happy Party, Caden!

Instead of saying "birthday party" or "happy birthday", Caden refers to it as "happy party". We had an Elmo-themed party (thanks to Gamma and Nanna for the great decor!) complete with friends, games, presents, and cake. Even now, he continues to ask about his party...I think he wants another one. Sorry, buddy, you'll have to wait a whole year.

Pin the "nose" on Elmo game

Dorothy's Goldfish Bowl: the object was to pass water from cup to cup and fill Dorothy's goldfish bowl in record time.

Birthday cake with a "3" candle

Elmo cupcakes for the kids

...and the presentsReeves: ABC scripture book, The Lord Is My Shepherd
Millers: bean bag toss game (homemade...Caden loves it!)
Family: Bob the Builder shirt, Mr. Potato Head, big-boy bike

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A few more...

Here's a few more of my favorites from our time with my parents:


Can we say tourist?!We took these last ones just before my parents left...

Hellos and Goodbyes

One of the blessings of living in Africa is having people in our homes for extended stays. Although some people are fearful of being a burden on us, it is actually quite the opposite...we LOVE it! The part we don't like is having to say goodbye and send them home. We have done more of this in the past two weeks than we prefer. We enjoyed our first group from GracePointe (our sponsoring congregation from Montgomery, AL) and then April's parents arrived just as they were leaving. We are now saying goodbye to them and our hearts are full. Our boys might go through a social withdrawal when we arrive back home. So where does this leave us? Treasuring the memories we have made and looking forward to the new ones on their way with the next set of visitors. Come see us, we love it!

Oh, Caden....

It's the story that every mom tells...



It's the story that every mom dreads...


He smashed his finger in a screen door. His fingernail immediately turned purple. Now, he has no fingernail. Caden enjoyed showing everyone his "puwple feener" while it lasted...but this momma is just glad it's healing.

It's the picture of the 2nd born thrown in just for fun...