Introducing the Rest of My 'Family'

I have been really blessed the past seven months to work for some amazing people; nannying their kids. I have talked about them occasionally, but thought I should formally introduce them so you know who I hang out with everyday!

So here they are!!

* * *

I am at the Gehmans Tuesday thro' Friday. I can't say for sure, but I attempt the keep their domestic life in order. (I guess they would be the best judge of that!) I love these kids so much... they almost feel like my own.

We do everything together... eating, cleaning, reading, library trips, scouting around the local children's museum, making cookies, and everything else.

Jackson - 3

Alana - 2 on Friday

This is the very beautiful and talented, Jodi. My boss. *smile* I really appreciate her spirit of flexibility and happiness. She's one of four reasons I love my job!
* * *
Mondays, I spend the day at the Millers. This is really fun because I have been babysitting for Dawsyn and Grady for about a year. It's been fun watching them grow since then and also the cutest addition to their family, Sophie.

Dawsyn - 3

Grady - 2

Sophie - 7 months

(Sandwiched between Dawsyn and I with their cousin, Aravis on the right.)

Mandi is such an amazing, adorable dear and has become a great friend. We have had many days to connect hearts. I have been so blessed with her gift of encouragement. Amazingly, we have had some of the same struggles and her advice and encouragement is uplifting! Love ya, dear!

* * *

What a blessing it has been to work for people of like belief. It's amazing what a difference it makes. Thanks to all you guys for opening your hearts and homes to me. I have made so many great memories and I love you and your kids so much!

I look forward to many more good times to come!

The Cutest...

...kids, well at least some of them, are at the greatest photographer's site! I can't believe that I take care of those little heart-robbers! *smile*

So click here to see what the rave is all about. Oh and please leave a comment and tell Rodney and Jodi that Nicole sent you!

PS. In case you don't know, I work for those amazing photographers!

Today.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may for it will not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

- Mary Jean Irion -

The Many Faces of the Bower Brothers!

:: How would you act out 'skunk'? ::

:: Snow is just as cold as it's talked up to be!! ::

:: Aubrey, this is the last picture I'll smile for, don't you think 20 is enough?! ::

:: Do you always use cameras this often?! ::

:: I said only 20, Aubrey! ::

* * *

With Nate's stories keeping us laughing our heads off all week, Sam and Peter filled in with their great facial expresions! They were all such hoots!!

Check it out!!

Hey all! I actually have a good reason for being gone for so long!! If you want to whole story... or at least the start to it, go check out my family's blog!

There's lots more coming here soon!

The Winner!!

This morning my sister, Grace Ann, won the contest at our school for remembering the most definitions for government/election-related words.

:: Electoral College

:: Democracy

:: Computerized

:: Recount

She only missed three of the words and ran off with the $5 prize!!

I am so proud of you, sissy!!

"Love ya!"

Romans 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes, both to Jew first and to Greek."

Romans 1:16

Dark Glass...

"For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; but then shall I know, even as I am know."
1 Cor 13;12

***
As we walk this earth today, your circumstances may seem like complete confusion... but remember that you are looking at everything from a horizontal view. Our Father can see from all angles. He knows. He understands. He feels our pain. And He's in control.
Someday, we will see it from a better view and then will only be able to smile, knowing again that He always knew best!

Dawsyn + Grady Make Cookies

When you make a kid a cookie...

They'll probably wanna help...

And if they help, they'll wanna mix...
(note to self: don't ask a 3 year old to turn on the electric mixer! They don't know the difference between high and low.)

Then they'll wanna pour...

And when it's all put together, they'll wanna lick...

And chances are by this time, they'll be bathing in it!

But it's never quite enough!

Then they'll wanna help put them on the pans...
(kids and cookie dough are magentic!)

And they'll always need one more bite!

***

Sorry there are no pictures of us eating them... I guess somebody was enjoying them too much! *grin*

"A friend loves at all times"

What is the definition of a true friend?!  Webster defines a friend as "one attached to another by affection or esteem" and true as "steadfast and loyal".  Putting those together means that a true friend is some you have a relationship with who sticks with you despite differences, happy days and dry times.  

I had the opportunity to test the strength of one of these kind of friendships this week... and I am happy to report that the bands of friendship stood strong!

I am really blessed by God to not only have strong friendships with my family, but with a handful of friends too.  These are the people that you can be real with, the people who hear you when you are discouraged, the people who God places in your life 'for such a time as this'!  As I said, there are many names I could put here, of friends like this, but God gave me the opportunity to stop and appreciate one of them this week.

This is a girl who has experienced a lot of the same growing pains I have and we've had the chance to walk thro' them together, we enjoy many of the same things, have many same goals, and most importantly, we love the same God!  This girl is very talented,  cares for people, isn't afraid to share her mind, and is very thoughtful!  Not to mention very handy with a camera and is stunningly beautiful!  (We've known that for years!!) *grin*   Our memories together range from Bible studies and late-night talks with a police officer to surprise parties and music  sessions.  

Chels, thanks for all this.  Thanks for respecting my relationship with God and supporting me there.  Thanks for all the great times together.  I look back on all our times together with a smile and look forward to our times to come with anticipation.  I can totally see us together with our children running around and us laughing on days past!

Keep looking to our Head.  I know He has great plans for our lives!   

Happy trails!!  

PS.  Sorry for the severe lack of pics together... we need to fix that! *grin*

Sing-A-Song

What do ya'll think of the new addition to my blog?!  I got the brilliant idea from one of my other favorite blogs... The Millers!

Enjoy!!

Coming Soon...

Just thought I would let you all know what you are waiting for! I have a whole slew of great posts that are justing waiting to be posted... wow, that's profound! *grin*

:: When you make a kid a cookie

:: Of Committees and Cherry Donuts

:: More from China -- Eliana

:: Where's Your Treasure??

:: And anything else that sounds randomly appealing!

-- Do anyone have a preference on what I post first?! --

And for those of you who enjoy using your camera, I suggest that you try carrying it around with you for one week, wherever you go! I have been doing this the last several days and have gotten so many things on record that are great fun, but would have missed otherwise. Try it and you'll see what I mean!

Until then... happy trails!

My 'Extreme' Makeover

So I came home the Wednesday night and Aubrey wanted me to visit her in-bedroom beauty solon. Her and the girls had set up all their beauty products on the shelf, made a price list for all the treatments, and were ready for business. I decided on getting a perfume, make-up, and lotion... and the make-over began!

Yes, I know I look like I need help... but what can I say?? It was a long day hauling kids around Iowa City, I was tired, and I had a schnuffy nose.

Lotioning

Perfuming

My very handsome butler-boy serving "Mud Puddles"!

"Are you sure this is my style?!"

"Of course!!"

Sure!! *grin*

Gotta love the toothless grin!

Touching Up

Mwaaa!

Me and my very handy and adorable make-up assistant!

***

I love you, Aubrey!

A Slightly Flawed Quality

Okay... those of you who are longtime friends, know that Tiffany and I can be rather, well, kinda, you might say... airy, forgetful, 'loose-your-head-if-it-wasn't-attatched' kind of people.  We have a very honed skill of losing things... losing kinda important things...well, really important things - like cell phones.

So the story goes like this.  The first weekend of December, our family ventured out in a very icy, ice-storm to cut down our Christmas tree.  After braving the wind and pelting ice, we drove into Washington to get some much needed things.  As I think I mentioned, it was very icy, so we had to pull over once to scrape off the accumulation off the windshield.  Tiff got out to help.  Then we went on our merry, sliding way.  About four blocks later, Tiff went to grab her cell phone... and couldn't grab it cuz it was gone.  After much brainstorming, we realized it just might be back in the sloshy gutter...

...need I say more??? 

--Several weeks later--

Mom, Tiff, Timothy, and well, a bunch of us were out Christmas shopping.  Upon pulling up in the driveway, I inadvertently got stuck in a slight drift.  Not meaning to brag, but since I am the very helpful, friendly person that I am, I handed over the wheel to Tiff and got out to push.  The following day, and Christmas day after that, I went for my phone several times, but to not avail.  I decided not to worry about it Christmas Eve, but the next evening I began to panicly look around... if one can do that!  I turn the house upside down, went to the last store I had been in and looked through the lost-n-found pile of severely outdated phones, and searched my car enough times to be able to tear it apart and put it back together with my eyes closed... but to no avail.  I had a stroke of brilliance to check the snow bank I was mulling around the night before last while at the same time, Mom was putting a stop on the phone service.  Just as the block was finalized, Tim came running in with my slightly cold and damp, but still working phone...

..and there's nothing more to say!!

~THE [happy] END~

***

We have continued our losing habit with our friend's inside pet dogs... but that's another story!  (Too bad we couldn't loose the habit!) *smile*

Merry Christmas... yesterday!

Hope you all had a very merry Christmas! What a special day we had.. you can find the whole story with pictures - yes, pictures - at our family blog - thank God for libraries! :) Hope you have a blessed rest of the year... and remember to take some extra time to thank the Lord for all He has done in your life this past year! I know I have lots to thank Him for! Blessings to you all!

Is It Only Me??

I love every part of the Christmas season! I love all the festivities. I love all the traditions. I love the excitment and anticipation.

Does anyone else love these things too? Am I the only one who relishes the truly last minute shopping? Loves everytime the forcast calls for snow? Gets so excited at planning the special gifts for family and friends?

I never understand why people want to avoid the holiday crowds... there seems like such a festive spirit in the air. I love being able to wish the cashiers and anyone else "Merry Christmas!!" Have you ever felt that wrapping gifts just doesn't seem right without Christmas music playing in the background?! And isn't it just the greatest thing to walk through the isles of your favorite stores and hear your favorite Christmas songs!?! It's even better that while searching for the perfect gift and you can belt out "Rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday"!!! I also love hearing the precious words announcing the birth of our Saviour rolling across the speakers at Wal-Mart! What a great time of year... my only regret is that it's almost over. But hooray!!! It's coming again next year!

:: Enjoy these last few hours of the almost-holiday.
:: Tell everyone you can, "Merry Christmas!"
:: Hug a child.
:: Eat some chocolate.
:: Sniff a Christmas candle.
:: Plan something special for Christmas dinner.
:: And take as many moments as you can to thank Jesus for beinging the bestest gift of all!

Happy Eve-of-Christmas-Eve!

Oh the agony!

::Do you know::

- the desire to tell the delightful events that are happening around our house these past couple weeks??
- the terrible pains that come from having hundreds of pictures to post as visuals with those stories (well, okay, maybe not hundreds, but surely dozens!!)
- the sorrow that comes from the knowledge of what ya'll are missing out on!!
- even more the need-to-bite-the-bullet-pain that comes from not being able to share?!?!

::But don't be discouraged, because I have decided to pull myself out of the slump I have been in because of the above mentioned facts. The primary reasons being as follows:

1) Due to the kind actions of my bosses in allowing me borrow their flash drive to transport pictures and use their very speedy high-speed computer, I will be able to post pictures someday soon. (Soon being after Christmas and New Years.) [Thanks guys, I will always look to you as my benefactor/benefactoress!! Hugs!) BTW, ya'll should stop by and see their most amazingly, beautiful photography work! It's out of this world... www.gehmanphotography.blogspot.com

2) And also because I have come to the decision that words only beats silence any day!

Okay, I lastly want to thank you for your faithful reading... I think anyone who still stops by this blog deserves the 'best-blog-watchers-even-when-there-is-nothing' award!

Cheers!!!

Great News!!!

I am happy to announce that my family has started a blog!!!
Tiff and I have been waiting for this day for a long time. There's nothing very exciting yet, but stop by and stop often! It's found at www.chmelarfamily.blogspot.com
~ ~ ~
PS. I was gonna post more pictures today, but for some reason, my picture link is missing. If anyone knows how to get it back, I would be forever greatful! So until then, ta-ta!

Do you know...

...that Christmas is coming right around the corner???

::Don't forget to enjoy the ride::

It's truly a wonderful life!

Hope

After our trip to the village that Monday morning, volunteers and staff, both chinese and american, gathered in the courtyard to wait for the children. The excitment in the air matched the intesity of the humidity that hugged us all close.

Suddenly the message came down the treelined lane, they were coming. Five bikers rode in ahead of the vans, like they were little celebrities. And to us, they were.
As all the kids piled out of the van, we called out "Ni hao"! (hello)

The chinese staff members were calling out the children's names in chinese and pairing them up with their new 'family'.
When I first met Hope, she was very shy. I gathered her and the rest of our family and we headed to the cafeteria to eat our first meal together.
As we talked and walked, I found out that Hope was fifteen years old. When I met her on that hot summer afternoon, she was dressed in a black and white polka-dot shirt and a little ruffled black skirt. She was very shy but had a very sweet smile that she would readily share.
It took Hope a while to warm up to the activities we did that week. She would sit on the edge of the swimming pool and splash around. She made beautiful bead bracelets during craft time. Much of the time though, she was quiet and was slow to enter into everything we did.
The night that we did the 'Happiness Graphes', Hope opened up and shared that her parents both died when she was three years old and that she had lived with her grandpa for a while, but then was sent to the orphanage. The year she lost her parents was one of the sadest in her live.
Suddenly it made sense why she seemed more withdrawn and quiet. She had already experienced so much pain and hurt.
That pain that I felt that night after hearing her story through Sophie, was something I had never experienced before. How can you even attempt to make that better??? How can you scratch the surface??? I cried so much that night and begged God, "WHY??? What good is this week here."
The answer to that question was when Hope told me that her fifteenth year was one of the happiest in her life.
Why?
Because she was able to come to camp. That is the reason I went to China. That is the reason it makes it all worthwhile. That is the reason I want to go back.
Because whether or not we can see the difference it makes, it changes their lives forever.
It changed Hope's.
It changed mine.
And you know what??? It could change yours.

do you know...

...that chocolate chips really aren't for baking?? Their real, but secret mission is to satisfy late night chocolate cravings!!
Good thing for me!

PS. No. This has nothing to do with China but more of that is coming soon!

Sophie

It was Monday morning, July 16th, when our thrown-together-family met at the International Liami School in Beijing. Two kids, a college student and an American teenager-plus-one-year.
My translator/student, Sophie, was a very soft-spoken girl with a shy, cute smile. We got to know each other better before the children came with some team building activities.


*an old building in the village*
Monday morning we went to the small village about a ten minute walk from the school. Our entire team was given 40 RMB to spend (chinese money: about 7 RMB are equivalent to 1 US dollar.). Every team member had to buy one item from the village and we HAD to spend the entire 40 RMB, not a penny more or less. The object was to learn to work together as a team, preparing us for the week ahead with the children. It was neat to see the chinese and americans working together.
Our team members bought a variety of things from a roll of tape to a dirty towel bought right off someone's clothesline to a manequin I bought off the display of a very meager clothes shop.
I felt like a walked into a completely different world within China. It was so poor and dirty. An image that sticks in my mind is a little baby sitting on a small mat next to his dad who was selling herbs and veggies. The little boy was sitting there chewing on a shoe.
The needs are so huge they are overwhelming. What can someone like me do???
Anything???
Only can my meager efforts make an impact when they are placed at Jesus' feet!

The Time Has Come...

I know, I know... before I even start: I'm sorry.

I promised everyone I would be posting pictures and recounting the story of my China trip.

Let's see... I think that was suppose to be when I got home. But I could say I didn't specify exactly when. *smile*

I am here, albeit nearly three months later. But I am here none the less.

The kids need their story told. So here it goes...

Still Here!

Hey guys!
Sorry I have not posted yet - I am having technical difficulties with posting pictures. It will be coming soon. Sorry!
Oh!!! Go to www.youtube.com and search for 'Bring Me Hope Diary' and if you play the movie clips 1.1-1.5, you will see what I did the week I was in China! That will tie you over til I get this other thing figured out!