VISITORS!!

No, our visitors aren't from outer-space, they are Grand-Dad and Gran-Nan!!

Grand-Dad and Gran-Nan, aka. Kirt and Nancy, arrived on Wednesday, March 12th. (That is part of the reason I have been 'absent' from blogging lately!) Canaan was SOOOO happy to see them walk through those gates at the airport. He has been busy playing with them, reading with them, and giving us all some good laughs. One phrase that is often repeated in the house these days is "He is SOO ornery." I think he gets it from Dougle. :) But Canaan is really enjoying their visit. They have been here for almost a week and got their first full night of sleep last night, for which we were all very grateful! They've been waking up for several hours at night, and/or waking up early in the morning (like around 5am). But they have done super well. We have managed to keep them warm most of the time; the temperatures have been around 40 degrees during the day time and dip to around freezing at night. Pretty good weather. Today, however, was a bit colder and we were outside for several hours. This meant we were all getting cold. In some of the pictures we took today, Grand-Dad and Gran-Nan are huddled up, looking a little bit cold! We've been enjoying their company (you know how it can be when you move somewhere new and don't know anyone), playing games together, showing them the Moscow sites, and their help (they help clean and cook while we are doing our Russian lessons)! It is great.
We are enjoying their visit SOO much, that we fall in bed exhausted at night. But, I wanted to show you a few pictures of their visit thus far. I will fill in with more pictures and details later!

And, I wanted to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! to those of you who sent love or gifts for us! Thank you to the Elmores for buying us a new stroller since our other one broke; thank you to Farrah, Seth and the boys for the movies, books and clothes for Canaan. Thank you Ernestine and Hollis for the clothes and books for Canaan, as well as for the 'meals out' money. (WE really needed new books- Mommy was getting tired of reading the same ones over and over!) Thank you to Beth Cunningham for the umbrellas; thank you to Aunty Livi and David for the clothes, puzzle and toys for Canaan, and the ketchup packets you saved up for us (you have to pay 50 cents a packet for ketchup at McDonald's). As with thank yous, I am sure I missed someone, but my brain is about shut down for the night. So, I thank that person I have forgotten! Of course, thank you to my parents too! They came, they brought all kinds of toys, books, some clothes, and various food items that we can't get or can't get very easily here. And they brought many greetings from everyone. It is so awesome and so comforting to know that we are not in this mission alone: we have people backing us with prayers, money, love, and encouragement. We couldn't do it without all of you. Thank you for all your comments you leave on the blogs and the notes you send through e-mail. These mean more than you can imagine!!

Mr. Center of Attention

Yes, Canaan is my (Lucy's) parents' first grandchild. He is also Livia and David's only nephew. I couldn't help but take a picture of this scene. What happened was that Canaan had just taken a bath and I had to run get him a diaper from upstairs. Canaan doesn't like laying on the floor waiting for his diaper and starts to get upset. So, here come Auntie Livi and Gran-Nan to the rescue! Gran-Nan pulled his naked little tooshie onto her lap and Auntie Livi quickly grabbed a book to entertain him in the 30 seconds it took for me to run upstairs and get a new diaper. So, I thought I'd make all their efforts to sooth Mr. Center of Attention (aka. Canaan) a little more worth while by taking more time to take this picture. I just wished all families were as pathetic as we are and doted on their nephews and grandkids like ours does. Canaan won't always be center of attention, especially if Liv and David ever get around to giving him some cousins, but I know for sure that he feels completely loved. And as his parents, we feel so blessed by such a wonderful family.
To all those family members who are far away: we know you love Canaan SO MUCH too! I wish you all could spend as much time with him as Gran-Nan and Auntie Livi!

Riding a Four-Wheeler

So, this is an old picture I found recently. I just wanted everyone to know who it is that is spoiling our little boy and taking him out on a four-wheeler. It is not mommy and daddy, but the Grandparents!! My, my, my!

Reading with Gran-Nan

Canaan is still an avid reader. He loves books! We can sit with him for 10-15 minutes easily and read. He loves looking at the pictures, opening the flaps, and just listening as you tell what all is happening. This is Canaan with Gran-Nan having some special bonding time!