Gap #3: Daniel's 30th birthday

To make Daniel's 3oth birthday extra special, my parents took us to our first meal at Ruth's Chris Steak House. What a treat!

Here was Daniel's plate. Yum!

Gap #2: Return to the U.S.

We flew from Guatemala City to St. Louis. We were greeted at the airport by my parents, sister, brother in-law, nieces and nephew.

Kaitlyn, Kyle and Kaedyn made us a special welcome home banner. I especially liked the poison control stickers they used!

A picture of Kyle saying hello to baby Ethan:

Kaitlyn and Kyle helped us with our luggage.

Filling in the Gaps

I promised before Ethan's arrival to write about the month that we were away from the blog from the time that we left NLCH to the time that we moved to Texas. Since Ethan is asleep right now, I am going to make my first attempt.

Very (very!) early in the morning on June 27th, we left NLCH. We were so touched that Lee, Staci, and the summer interns all got up to see us off and that Kendon drove us to the airport.

The night before, the kids and staff had a special goodbye service for us following dinner in the dining hall. Here are some pictures from the night:

The evening started with a birthday surprise for Daniel (he turned 30 on June 28th-- two days after we left NLCH) of singing, fireworks and a delicious chocolate cake.

We really appreciated Staci putting together a slideshow of pictures taken during our time at NLCH. As I watched the slideshow, it just seem surreal. I couldn't believe that we were really leaving the next morning and that two years had already passed. The slideshow was followed by a dance performed by a group of the younger girls. We were glad to get some last minute time holding Genesis and Michelle.

Several of the kids shared goodbye messages. Then we were surprised by many of the older kids that participated in our discipleship groups. They gave us a small pot with a candle in it. Then they turned out the lights and a beautiful song about sending out the light came on. One by one they came by, lit a candle from ours and told us special memories of our time together. Then they all surrounded us for prayer. As I looked around at each of their faces illuminated in the candlelight, I knew that moment was a time that I would never forget and one of those precious memories that you guard in your heart as sacred. I was struck by the depth of love that I had for them and gratitude to God for allowing me to know them. That moment to me seemed like just a tiny glimpse of what Heaven will be like.

Kendon and Wendy presented us with a beautiful ceramic wall plague that says "The Harris Family" for our new home. I love it! Right now I have it sitting in the entertainment center in our living room. I want to hang it outside the house but I am not sure what to hang it with and I am afraid of it falling down and breaking in these Texas winds.

We also received a very neat scrapbook that the interns graciously put together for us. I wanted to give each of the kids a special treat so I made ice cream sandwiches for them (chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream with mini chocolate chips around the outside).

Even Michelle got to have one, although it was about as big as her face and I don't think she really liked it.

The night ended with all of the kids and staff surrounding us, laying on hands and praying for us. I knew this would be part of the evening because we always do this the night before teams leave. It is always a touching and emotional time. I knew it would be hard for me and that I would most likely be very emotional during this closing time. However, if you click on this picture and enlarge it, you can see nine year-old Sammy smelling my hair. Throughout the prayer, I could hear and feel him sniffing my head and he said several times "Que rico" (how delicious). That was a good distraction and made me laugh, preventing me from being too sad. So, I am thankful for the blessing of Sammy's comic relief in that moment!

Check-Up

Yesterday was Ethan's one month check-up. At birth he weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches. He is now 9 pounds 7 ounces and 23 inches. He is in the 95th percentile on height and 50th percentile on weight. The nurse was impressed that he gained two pounds in a month! We wish Michelle could do that. We sure miss that little girl! Ethan has now passed her up in size.

One Month Already

Ethan turned one month yesterday. He has his one month check-up this Friday. I can't wait to see how much he has grown and how much weight he has gained. His cheeks and belly look much bigger these days. Other changes I have noticed: darker eyebrows, top eyelashes coming in, and staying awake more. He smiles often in his sleep and has some really cute dimples.

Below is how he celebrated his one month birthday (by surprising his Daddy during a diaper change by first peeing on him and then in the midst of cleaning that up, spraying poop on him. That ought to teach him not to change diapers on his lap!)

Easy Update

My sister is much better at keeping her blog updated. She has been posting pictures from her time here so if you are interested, check out her blog at kjohnsonfamily.blogspot.com

Krista is here!

My sister flew in today and will be here until Sunday. Ethan and I met her at the airport. She was very excited to finally meet him. You can thank her for the blog update -- she is strongly encouraging me to do a better job at keeping the blog current.