Archive for May, 2009
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
We had a short overnight campout with friends from church on Friday. The weather was great until about 5am on Saturday. We were in the middle of rain storm with plenty of lightening and wind, out in an open field by a lake in tents with metal poles….not exactly the safest place to be! It stopped by about 7am and we all made it home safely to dry out.
The kids had a blast on Friday evening. This was Eiljah’s first time camping, first time fishing, and first s’more. Who says you miss out on all the firsts when you adopt an older child?! You should have seen his face when he caught a big bass. Oh, he also loved catching fireflies and stoking the campfire. We are blessed with good friends and warm fellowship.
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Elijah, Family, Johanna, Michaela | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
With school being out and our cousin and aunt free, we invited them over to spend a couple of days with us. Ami and Elle played together the best that they ever have. In the past we’ve had typical jealousy and “mine”, but they had plenty of fun together this time. We visited our local Youzeum (all about your body), played outside, did crafts, had yummy BBQ and ice cream and played games. Thanks for coming over Elle and Kate! We missed you Eric.
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Elijah, Family, Johanna, Michaela | 5 Comments »
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
We had a great time in STL. Even after many visits to the arch, this was my first time up in it. Every other time the weather has been cloudy and not worth paying to go up to see nothing. I just about jumped out of the pod before the doors closed as my claustrophobia set in for a second. Much to my relief, after a few seconds you could look out the side window and see the inside of the arch. Phew.
It’s great to be home and have the rest of the holiday weekend ahead of us. The best part is that we have NOTHING on the calendar this week. That is really unheard of in our house. Hey, Happy Birthday Jeremy! Love you!
Display Gallery...
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Chris, Elijah, Family, Home School, Jocelyn, Johanna, Michaela | 1 Comment »
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
Yea!!!! We made it through another year of home schooling while adding a whole new dimension to things in January. I am very proud of the accomplishments of each of the kids. I have seen them each grow and develop in specific areas. It is a privilege to school each of them and it’s not a duty I take lightly at all. Michaela has grown even more in maturity and independent learning, Benjamin has improved dramatically in spelling, Elijah has gone from very limited English vocabulary and ABCs to reading Green Eggs and Ham, Johanna learned she is a poet, and Ami has memorized a lot of the book of James as the rest of us memorized the whole book. There is much more of course, but I won’t boast any more. 
We are ready to celebrate! We are headed to STL to visit the Botanical Gardens (studied botany this semester), swim at the hotel, and then pick up Chris at the airport. He has been in Orlando this week for a conference. Then we will visit the Arch and Louis and Clark museum tomorrow (studied Westward Expansion in history this year). Summer here we come!
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Chris, Elijah, Family, Home School, Jocelyn, Johanna, Michaela | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Back in February Elijah briefly tried out his bike that we received from friends. It was a no go and he explained to me that he had to have four wheels (training wheels). Then he broke his arm racing down the driveway on the scooter and was not venturing out on wheels again for quite some time. He’s been back to having a blast on the scotter and asked about trying his bike again. After just a couple of pushes from me he was totally on his own! He was shouting “woo hoo” and had a grin from ear to ear.
Next in line to learn
Posted in Ami, Elijah, Family | 2 Comments »
Monday, May 18th, 2009
The Kids Choir performed last night at church and did a great job. Their theme was worship. Elijah loves to sing and did his best at following along with the words. Grandpa and Grandma Cumbie (our “adopted” grandparents) came to see the kids perform. They have always been very sweet to us since we first started attending MBC.
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Elijah, Family, Johanna | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
We’ve been working on Missouri state reports the last few weeks, so thought it a good idea to head to JC for a field trip. We were joined by some great company and all the kids learned some things as well as had some fun. We took a tour of the capitol building and even got to see the House in session. We also happened to be there on a perfect day as there was a last minute rally on the steps of the capitol regarding a homeschool bill that is being voted on. I’m not good at estimating numbers of people, but I would guess that there were a few thousand homeschoolers there! Hopefully we made an impression on our representatives. It was a great civics lesson for the kids.
We’ve also been studying botany this semester, so we spent some time at the Runge Nature Center and hiked along the trails. And of course you can’t go to JC without going to Central Dairy!
Thanks for joining us today J, C, A, and M!!
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Elijah, Family, Home School, Jocelyn, Johanna, Michaela | 3 Comments »
Sunday, May 10th, 2009
Happy Mother’s day to my mother and mother-in-law! We are blessed to have mothers who love the Lord.
When I read the card from my kids today I saw five signatures at the bottom of the card and was shocked. Yes, it’s still sinking in that I am mom to five beautiful kids. Many days I feel unworthy of the title, but by the grace of God and lots of grace from my kids and husband I am plugging along and so grateful for the many joys that they bring to me.
A year ago I had a longing in my heart for a little boy halfway around the world…….this was Mother’s Day 2008:
And today…
Here are a couple more pictures from today. The boys took over Ami’s sandbox with their army men. And here is another picture of Elijah and his buddy Titus (recently adopted from Ethiopia).
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to my SIL as she celebrates this for the first time, and Happy Birthday to the proud daddy!
Posted in Ami, Benjamin, Chris, Elijah, Family, Jocelyn, Johanna, Michaela | No Comments »
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
I am back with a full report for the kids on my Oregon adventures. First of all, Woodruffs, you guys are great! I experienced God’s beauty, refreshing fellowship and worship, affection from two little China sweeties, great coffee, great food, great Monopoly, and best of all, hours of just sharing life with my amazing friend Amy and her family. I can’t wait to take the whole family out next time. Thanks for being such great hosts and for letting me hang out with you guys for a few days. David, thanks for allowing us this time, and a BIG thanks to Chris for holding down the fort at this end of the trail and keeping the locals busy and having lots of fun.
Just a bit windy!
Face rock
Beautiful coast and flowers
Bandon lighthouse
Elisabeth enjoying DQ
A great bunch of kids
My hairstylist - Abby
Posted in Family, Jocelyn | 1 Comment »
Friday, May 1st, 2009
The kids and I recently finished studying the westward migration of the early pioneers. We read an awesome book together entitled Bound for Oregon. I thought it only appropriate that as the teacher, I take a trip out to Oregon and see things for myself. So I will be taking my own field trip this weekend and will return with a full report to the kids. Ha!
Actually I’ve been planning this trip for a while to fly out to see my dear friend Amy. We have accrued quite a few frequent flier miles and my ticket cost all of $10. Amy and I first met in college in southern CA, but didn’t know each other that well. She was just “Jon’s little sister” to me. Then fifteen years later God led us together again in His incredible timing. Our dossier for Ami’s adoption was sent to China by our agency in a package with the dossiers of five other families. Yes, one of those dossiers belonged Amy’s family! How cool is that?! After a flurry of emails we realized that we knew each other (identities first concealed by our married names). We traveled together to meet our first China babies and have become dear friends. Since that time we have each returned to adopt another child and I can’t wait to be with her family and meet little Elisabeth.
Isn’t that a neat story? To me it’s more than just a story. It’s an example of God’s faithfulness to me in big and small things. I wasn’t seeking a new friend. I wasn’t out to meet “new” people when we started our adoption pursuit of Ami. I wasn’t expecting a deep friendship, BUT God. He loves me and wants the best for me. He blessed me when I didn’t even ask. He just did it. He gave me the gift of a iron sharpening friend. Thank you Father!
See you in few hours, Amy!! Can’t wait to hug your neck and love on your kids for a bit. Oh, and I’m look forward to seeing I.P., too. 
(And thank you Chris for understanding and allowing me the privilege of taking off for a few days. You’re the best!)
Posted in Family, Jocelyn | 2 Comments »