Pumpkin soup is the traditional meal for early morning New Year's Day, which is also Haiti's Independence Day! It's also one of Lily's favorite foods, laden with homemade dumplings, lots of veggies, different meats and sometimes hot peppers. She was READY at 6:30 am when Maxi came by with the first bowl, and had had several before Jean-Sius came by at 7 with a spicy version she also devoured. It was fun to hang out with our neighbors, and for Dad and Cindy to pumpkin soup and cassava bread with us!
We had such a good visit with them! Their big project was moving some bunk beds from our friend's house down the road to the girls room. Since Ben joined us, Nora was out of the crib and has been sleeping on the floor. When our friends left Haiti, they left behind some gorgeous (incredibly heavy) bunk beds that he had build for his three girls. Dad, Matt, Rob, Maxi, Cindy, Lily and a whole slew of other people worked on this project...Dad and Matt starting at 9:00 am and finishing well after dark.
They are BEAUTIFUL, and we're so thankful to have them. Nora, especially, LOVES having a bed and keeps disappearing on us :)
Ben took several naps with Grandpa, and had an awesome day in town.
So thankful for this time of building memories with the kids, Dad and Cindy!
We also took them up to a new hotel that has an amazing view of the whole city...
and another nap by Ben.
This girl's last day of being nine :( I can't believe this girl has been with us every day for TEN years! What a gift.
She wanted birthday doughnuts, an adventure island scavenger hunt, and angel food cupcakes.
It was a big day :) Granny came to wish her happy birthday, and Sofie's showing off Ben's new teeth!
She scavenger hunted all over the campus, and ended up with what the roller blades she was so anxious for :)
She has since turned black and blue and is getting better every day.
Nora REALLY wanted Ms. Cindy to teach her how to knit. She's pretty much mastered it.
The afternoon of Lily's birthday, the Edler's got back from the Dominican, the Heckman four came in from Jersey, the Leavell's got in from Florida, and Nikki finally came back from Delaware, making for a Lily-fun party!
Lily loves these people...and I'm so glad they all were here for her big day!
Dad and Cindy left today after a great few days together, and tomorrow the first of the insane month of January visitors arrive! So many of our January Visiting Professors come every January, so it feels like we're heading into family season...can't wait to have everyone around the table again, and to have our students - pray for them with me as they all head back to Emmaus this weekend!
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