Meet Ruby

Everyone, meet Ruby.  A dog sounds so good when you don't actually own one.  The boys really wanted one, so we wrote up a plan for them to earn one and they did it.  (We're now realizing the plan wasn't nearly difficult enough.)  I really wanted a dog, too.  Scott did not.  In hindsight, I do not either.  She seems to be a sweet and obediant dog thusfar, but the night time routine of waking up to go potty multiple times is really annoying and exhausting.  Last night we made some progress though.  I needed progress because I had a wee little breakdown yesterday over the impact the dog has had on our schedule.  I keep telling myself life will be normal again after it's housebroken, but I'm not so sure.  I feel like I'm in prison. 

Haiti

Scott and I took a trip to Haiti with an organization called "Great Commission Alliance". They are dedicated to building up this country that is broken due to political corruption and the devastating earthquake a year and a half ago. I stand in awe of the people of GCA who devote their lives to giving Haiti a future. Every day their focus is educating and empowering Haitians. They feed hungry orphans, educate kids, and employ local people who just want to work to improve their lives. GCA is currently building an orphanage on their property that will have modern facilities. Plumbing and electricity are unheard of in the city of Mirebalais, where we stayed. The guest house they built for teams like ours to stay in is a modern building that sticks out like a sore thumb compared to its neighbors. This same property will also house a clinic, school, church and a house or two of the employees.

While in Haiti we visited orphanages, villages, beautiful landscapes, and were inspired by true Christ-like individuals doing His work every day. And, inspired by a people who despite having next to nothing (in the temporal sense), still radiate God's love with a single look. I can't wait to go back. Let me know if you want to come along!

(Go to their website to make a donation or sponsor an orphan.)

This is how the women carry everything. They are fierce!

Typical Haitian house

One of our translators by the dam that was built, which displaced hundreds of people who live in what is now called, "Parachute Village". (This village was once where you see the water in the background. They were pushed into the hills when a dam was built in the middle of the river that ran through their land. They lost everything and were given no compensation. Each day is a fight to survive here.)

The orphanage GCA is building...there are no construction trucks to help out. Everything is done by hand. Haitians know how to work.

Another typical home with a grass roof...home to large tarantulas.

The road up to the orphanage. It's made of broken up asphalt that was dumped and then pieced together by hand like a puzzle.

This is Rose. She stole my heart. Her dad was one of our drivers.

A girl in our group saw a discarded tire and wanted to hang it up for the kids outside the school so they'd have something to do besides just stand around. The tire she found was too big, so one of the students ran home and came back with a busted tire that was laying around his house. The kids then strung it up in the mango tree and took off! Their smiles were huge. (The tent in the background is their school.)

We caused mass chaos at one of the orphanages when we brought balloons to tie for the kids.

It was crazy, but so much fun!

Haitian taxi. They also have motorcycle taxis that they'll pile as many people on that will fit.

The latrines GCA is funding to be built at an orphanage.

This is Jerry (a boy our Team Leader has taken in as a son) comforting a baby in Parachute Village that was scared of us...most likely because she had never seen a white person before.

The schoolhouse at Parachute Village. It was stifling in there with little light and 5 different classes being taught in the same room.

School kids at Parachute Village. They asked me to bring them each a notebook when I came back. Only one boy in the group appeared to have paper for school.

The kitchen

Scott making pipe cleaner spiders at an orphanage

Our group

The local washing machine and bath in Mirebalais

You should hear these girls sing. It's as beautiful as their smiles.

One of the tent cities in Port Au Prince that were meant as temporary shelters for those who lost homes after the earthquake...People have been living there for almost 2 years.

62 Degrees!

The hope of Spring was alive in Pittsburgh last week when we had a couple of days in the 60's.  Felix was so excited when we went outside and said the funniest thing.  We walked outside to find many neighbors out from hibernation.  He looked around and said, "Everything is up and running like normal...like in the summer...the good old days.  We had a good time, didn't we Mom?" 

He then proceeded to draw this hopscotch. 

 Daphne dragged this apple across the pavement taking bites every so often.

 So what is one of the first things my boys do when it warms up?  Notice Rex behind the trampoline.  We've been told by our neighbors that they know when spring is here because the Johnson boys are outside in their underwear.  I guess Felix is getting a little old for that now that he's started school.  We'll have to work on modesty this summer.  The good old days are over, Felix :(

Church Attire

The kids did great getting dressed for church today all by themselves.  Daphne needed a little help and after a quick face swab, was a total cutie today. 

Felix almost wore multiple ties around his neck, but changed his mind last minute.  He was very proud of this shirt and tie combination and stayed busy at church twirling his tie around his finger.  He was also happy that I let him fix his own hair today which consisted of water and a comb.  On school days, I style his hair in the Robert Pattison vampire style which Felix doesn't seem to like, but Mother knows best.

 Rex went all out with his hair today.  To get the look below, follow these steps:
1.) glob a giant blob of hair molding wax on the top, middle portion of your hair.  Rub around only in that spot. 
2.) spritz 3 to 4 squirts of spray gel
3.) spray with Aqua Net
4.) wet a comb and comb all around...best if in circles
5.) add just a tad more hair molding wax, and Voila!

 Here's what it looks like from behind. 

 After seeing the behind picture on the camera, Rex decided it needed a few modifications so:
6.) spritz 3-4 more squirts of spray gel
7.) comb hair using a more straight line technique
8.) top it off with more Aqua Net...and Voila!...ready for church!

Snow Days

We headed out for a night time sledding session in our back yard one night.  The boys had so much fun pretending to be penguins and then being chased by a shark

 We tried sledding at our favorite park this day...best hill ever!

 The boys were wrestling in this picture because one of them didn't do what the other wanted him to do, yadda, yadda...

 Rosy snow cheeks

Super Daphne

Daphne loves putting on snow mittens 

 Daphne was really working the bat purse and medal necklace. 

She was walking around like she owned the place. 

 Cute even covered in spaghetti

 Daphne wanted to share with Daddy, so he sat down, she crawled on his lap and they had a little date

 Bathtime all together = Terrifying!

Daphne is always right by my side...usually holding on to my leg walking around with me

Superheros to the Rescue!

The boys love playing dress up, especially as superheros. 

This is Rex's "Superhero Face"

Felix created his own superhero identity.  The "P" is for "Prayer-Man".  Prayer-Man prays for what he wants to happen, and it happens.  Even when Felix isn't in disguise, he is quick to say a prayer when he needs help with something.