I'm Home!!!

Hey guys! I'm home!!!

After five months away in the Philippines, I have returned home! :-D I miss Shiphrah Birthing Home, all the midwives, all my friends, and everything else about the Philippines, but I know that part of my life is over at least for now. Now I'm looking for the nursing school God wants me to go to so I can (someday) become a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Being home is awesome. I love being able to see my family all the time. Even though it's annoying at times, I love it when Joy Anna walks into my room between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning singing, "Morning, 'Nelle (her name for me)!" She even does it on Saturdays... I love that Promise never stops talking, sometimes even forgetting to take a breath, so that I don't have to talk. She's been my faithful little buddy and, like I said, hasn't stopped talking since I landed. (Her best quote was while I was flying home. She announced, "I'm glad Danielle is coming home so that I now have someone to talk to...besides myself!")

Some days, it feels like I've never been gone. Other days, I feel lost, like everything is so different. Sometimes, the Philippines feels like a far off dream and other times I feel like I just left. It's weird.

But I'm home now and mom said Bunch O' Wilsons is back to me. Be prepared for more crazy stories, pictures, and anything else that might appear on these pages.

You've been Warned!

:-D

Birthday & Fair

A post in pictures...

Birthday Girl!  Grace is now a double digit midget! :)

Grace loves presents, and was thrilled at the size of this one!

Happy Face :)

A doll trunk she can decorate herself!

Joshua wants to help, too.

After opening presents we went to the fair.  Nathan's camera took 4th.  He was mad the view finder came off and the judges put it back in the wrong place.  He fixed it while we were there.

Ultimate Satisfaction - Nathan has been trying to win a first place ribbon in the Lego competition for 8 years.  He did it with Kong - and got Best In Show to boot!! 

!

Though Isaac's Captain America shield did not win any prize ribbon, it had AWESOME presence!

We visited he bunnies.  Isaac and Promise stole the camera.

Joy Anna loved the animals.  She was particularly mesmerized by the pig races!

Joshua and Joy Anna playing outside today.  The two of them playing together reminds me so much of Danielle and Nathan.  It seems just yesterday it was those two who were my babies.

Joy Anna is a speed demon on the plasma car.  She makes me nervous the way she flies down the driveway at break-neck speed.

Joshua had fun trading out riding toys. 

Planning strategy...

Went outside tonight and found the boys playing football.  Or rather, calling it football.  I think it was just an excuse to tackle each other.

I was quite shocked when this vanity plate arrived in the mail.  Andy said he couldn't resist...

They spent a lot of time on the ground...

Boys are a different breed.

The girls played nicely on the zip line. :)

Hobbits

The cool nights (in the 50's) have finally arrived!  What a joy to have the windows open and wake up in the morning...freezing! :)  And what fun to have to bundle up in the early hours to get warm.  It was during one of these mornings that Andy discovered...hobbits! :)

With their cute hoods and toes sticking out, Andy decided Joshua and Joy Anna looked like little hobbits. :)

On a side note...my new stove gets delivered today (hallelujah chorus erupts!!!).  Andy may install it tonight rather than wait for Sears to come Friday.  If so, soup is on the menu - perfect for the cold evenings!!1  Hallelujah!

Trouble

So for the third  time, I had to pull Joy Joy out of the baking cocoa.  She made a mess of herself and the kitchen floor (again!).  Not sure her fascination with the cocoa, but she loves it.  Must be Andy's kid... :) (The cocoa now lives up high on the spice shelf).

She is covered head to foot in baking cocoa. And yes, she does eat it - licks her finger, sticks it in the cocoa, puts it in her mouth, repeats.

Listening to her scolding and looking at the mess she made.  Don't think I see any repentance on her face...just sorry her fun has ended.

But Mommy, I LOVE baking cocoa!

Is there Red in That Hair?

So I thought I would share a funny Joy Anna story, mostly because I know it will amuse Danielle! :)

I was in the shower yesterday when a piercing scream reached my ears.  The sound grew steadily louder, until the source of the cacophony entered the bathroom - an offended Joy Anna.  I had the nerve to ask her through the shower door what was the matter.  In response, she threw herself upon the ground, kicked her legs and banged her fist.  It was an all-out temper tantrum!  Oh my!  Trying to suppress a giggle, I asked her if she was okay.  She paused for a breath, looked at me, and resumed her screaming and hitting the floor.  Needless to say, my shower lasted much longer than usual that morning...:)

Cuteness!

This morning during our morning worship time, Joshua and Joy Anna were having fun...not singing as the rest of us were, but goofing around on the stairs with the gate.  Here are some pictures Andy couldn't resist taking:

Really, we are singing! :)

Yea!

Ooops, we are caught!

And now maybe for a video:

ENJOY!  :)

Joy Anna's Hair

Joy Anna's hair has started growing so we have been having fun playing with it. Here are a few of the results:

Test for Changing the Reins

Yeeek!  Mommy does not have time to update blog...however, this may be a good school project fro some PIG's! :) tee hee hee.  So we shall see...

A look back 6 months to see how they've grown...

Bunch O' Wilsons Changes

As probably all of the readers for this blog know, I (Danielle) will be heading for the Philippines in 11 days. Hence, I will not be here to post updates and pictures about what is happening in the family. So I'm now giving this blog over to the wonderful Mommy. I might still occasionally update it before I leave, but the blog will now be mostly my mom's until I return in November.

While I am gone, I will be updating a different blog: http://midwife4hisglory.blogspot.com/ I hope to update it regularly with pictures, stories, and other things!

So Mom, I charge you to take care of this blog and update it because now I will be checking it too to see pictures and updates on what the family is doing. :-D

Except I realized that any comments on this blog will be sent to my e-mail address for moderation. Haha, that'll be funny. :-D

Maria's starting to yawn. :-D

Hee hee...I'm mean to my cat. :-D

In case you're wondering, this is a pretend doll high chair that Joy Anna has been stuffed into by Promise. And of course, JA's as happy as a clam!

see what I mean?

Daddy Love

Around the House

Mom, Dad, and the kids have been working in the yard every day while I'm doing school to make it pretty for when we host my graduation party (less than 3 weeks away, people!!!). It is absolutely gorgeous so here are some pics.

Enjoy!