They put in a Driveway and Dug the House

 Quite exciting things are happening.

 Micah and I saw the dump trucks dumping loads of gravel. 

 It was cool to watch them work and make the driveway smooth.

 Micah and I got some lunch at Subway and took a sandwich to Elli since she would be at school until the opening of her middle school play.

 The footers are being poured.

 Micah again, loves to climb on the dirt.

 I kept thinking the house looked so small.  I am sure it will be the right size but right now it doesn't look like all the rooms we ave planned will fit!

He wanted to get on top of these big trucks so bad!  My handsome boy loving getting dirty.

April 18 and another trip to the Land

 Every time we head out there, Micah ends up in the dirt.

 Dad and Brent are making sure the house layout is where it should be.

 They are very serious.

 They loved crawling through this tube.

We bought boots for the purpose of being out here and not ruining shoes.  I love that they are enjoying this land.

Upward Soccer

 It was a cold day so Micah was bundled up.  It didn't seem to slow him down though.

 He was a very aggressive player this season and scored many goals, almost every game.

He had a sweet little team and a great assistant coach too:)

While in Albania

 Brent had the kids here by himself and did quite well.  They went to Red Robin on Brent's birthday for lunch and free food.  I was sad to miss his birthday, but glad they were still able to celebrate.

 Yummy

 I was getting ice cream of my own.  Also delicious.

 I also missed the kids' musical performance.  Micah is adorable and i love him and was of course sad to miss.  However, I am thankful for these pictures.

 Love him and missed him like crazy.

We landed and were exhausted.  I am so thankful I got to go back to Albania and that I got to go with Ruth.

Albania! April 10-14

 Ruth and I were able to take a trip to Albania as Margaret couldn't go this year.

 We were in  hotel just down the beach from where we stayed last year.  It was once again beautiful.

 I love these sunsets right out the window from where we were staying.

 The food is always delicious and this dessert didn't disappoint.

 Julia was doing her student teaching in Nepal and finished just in time to join her friends Anna and Charlotte in Albania and the conference with me.

 Gregg was such a help in making this trip happen again.  I am thankful for him and the role.

 This is just some of the group of session leaders at the conference.  Rezart was there again as were Entelia and her husband.  Clementina, in the black and white dress, actually has a Christian School for Albanians.  We found out at this conference but she made contact with TEA after last year's conference.  So incredible.

 We stayed in Tirana with some of the teachers in the international christian school there.  This was their home.

 We enjoyed dinner in town.  Delicious food and low prices can't be beat.

 i took some pictures of the contrasting architecture.  This is an example of the communist plain, rectangular style.

 This is a contrasting complex building.

 Ruth, Cheryl, and I on the town.

 We went with Elona on Sunday to Skoder.  We were able to look through the school she has started there and pray along with her that she can open it up for Albanians besides after school programs.

 We also attended her church in the same building.

 Elona preached on Thomas and had her son Gabriel play piano

 This is the outside of the building.

 We went down to the Albanian Lake for lunch and authentic Albanian food.

 I have come to really love this woman, Elona.

 Sonja joined us as well for lunch.

 It was a great afternoon and lunch lasted about 4 hours!

 I really love this woman too.  She is so much more than my student.

This picture was so beautiful that I had to capture it.  Albania is a beautiful country and I love the people.  I cannot wit to go back and meet up with these incredible people again.

April Happenings

 Playing with cousins.  I love that they are all playing the same thing.

 The kids had a performance.

 My crazy boy after pre-school.

As always, I had my students over for dinner.  Here is Rebecca, Jenah, Melanie, Olivia, and Xavier.  Emma couldn't make it as her grandmother had just passed away.

Upward Soccer

 Brent was an assistant coach this year for Micah's Upward soccer team.  It started out as a pretty cold season!

 I love watching him use his imagination to play.

The fox is back!

Tuesday, April 3rd

We have land getting ready to be prepped for a house.
Today Brent and I were at a closing in Centerville, Micah was at Kyle and Meg's, and Elli was at play practice at her school.  well, there was a tornado that went through Beavercreek and into Cedarville.  Sirens were going off everywhere making me quite scared for our kids.  Everyone ended up being safe, but the tornado hit some places and homes in Cedarville including Elli's friend Molly's house taking out her attached garage and pool.  Crazy night.