Our baby girl

This is how we announced to my parents that "it's a girl!"  The sweet dress hanging up is the one my mom wore home from the hospital... and then 32 years later I wore the same dress home.  27 years later, the dress is still in beautiful shape and it'll be used again! 

And here she is.

Her sweet little legs and feet!

Fingers are tasty, apparently.

Meyers nose, Smith lips.  That's my prediction, based on this photo.

Final Days

Last Guitar Lesson

A message that certain guitar students left on our gate...

Dan's mission for 2012: get these guys to stand in a line for snacks.  Mission accomplished.

Our last day of class: Popcorn Day!

Our class chief of grade 5B.  She won the most feathers for good behavior!

Our beloved team.  What would we have done this year without them?

Guitarists on the Roof

When Dan offered guitar lessons to a few guys at the beginning of the year, he wasn't sure quite what to expect.  Little did he know how dedicated these guys would be to coming every week to our house.  One of his students actually weaseled his way into getting lessons by just showing up at our house one day!  Dan was reluctant at first, but the student has since proven himself worthy.  It's obvious that they don't take it for granted.  It's been a highlight for Dan and it's been really fun for me to watch.  

Halfway Point

This week, I am 20 weeks along!  It's a visible reality by now.  Today a 6th grade girl approached me and said, "Miss, you are pregnant."  Yes, I am.  Thank you.  And my 5th graders don't hold back from telling me how very "fat" I am getting.  (Here, that's a compliment.  Er, I think?)

It is really useful to have their daily reminders, of course.  The backaches, the constant hunger and the lack of sleep definitely aren't enough.  ;)

One of the most exciting symptoms is the kicking of little feet.  Dan has felt it a time or two and it's great to see his face light up when it happens.  We are ready to find out boy or girl in just a few weeks!

School Picnic

Picnics are a big deal here.  A really big deal.  (And when I say picnic, I don't mean a sandwich on a blanket on the church lawn kind of a thing.  This is a drive 45 minutes to the perfect spot - covered dish - eat and eat and eat more - sit around and talk - dance for hours - even in the rain - eat more - go home when it's starting to get dark - kind of a thing.)

Spring is short, so there's a small window of opportunity to get out and enjoy the fresh air and green fields.  Last week we had a school-wide picnic.  It was so fun to see a different side of the students!  I enjoyed a relaxed time of eating and talking about life with my 5th graders.  Dan enjoyed some jam sessions with his guitar students.

 One of my students.  Her sweet family had this dress made for me for this special day.

Another sweet student.  I had the privilege of teaching her in 2nd grade, as well.  She's a little lady with an incredible amount of kindness in her heart.

Two sweet friends - great students - beautiful spirits.

Dan sporting his traditional Kurdish pants.  He's enjoyed getting to know this fellow teacher.

It was a lovely day for a picnic.

One Hope

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Dan and I are so blessed to walk with these incredible people. They've taught us more about this verse in Ephesians. We've been through a lot of ups and downs together in just a few short months -- thanks be to God who gifts us with unity that is only of His Spirit, who calls us to One Hope, and who gives us the grace to bear with one another in love.

(Stacy isn't pictured here -- we're very thankful for her, too!)

Roof Days

Spring is here! *Praise God* Mornings are still a little cool, but the sun is bright and warm. Our roof is a great hangout spot these days (for our clothes and for us). We love being able to enjoy our morning breakfast and coffee where the air is fresh and the sun is bright. And the mountains (and yes, the power lines) are in full view.