Those Peculiar Prices

New member of the family

2009-04-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Newest member of the family.... Coa-coa!

Latest addition to our yard

2009-04-07T19:45:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning Benjamin and I heard a rather large noise and looked out our front door to see this laying in our yard! Fortunately, as far as we know, it did not damage anything besides our Japanese maple tree and a few sprinkler heads. Just the day before Danny's car had been sitting in the driveway since our garage still had lots of boxes to get rid of. But being a determined man that he is, fortunately on Sunday he was determined to get all the boxes gone so that he could park in the garage!
This was our neighbor's tree so it looks like her insurance will take care of everything. Great way to get to meet lots of our new neighbors.

Spring Break in India

2009-03-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Sunny Dances!!!

Danny's new namesake

Good friend Mehdi

Ursula... my sweet British friend

Puspah (now pregnant with #2)

Puspah's family (the guy on the right is Ege's brother who they led to the Lord)

Train Fun!

Cosette & Conner (2 of the Leman's 4 kids)

"Ali"

Just Pics

2008-11-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

Boston in its beautiful colors.... definitely not an Amarillo tree!Kenebunkport Maine

Halloween 2008

Don't Forget the Pumpkins!

2008-10-21T06:37:00.001-07:00

Last year Abigail had to decorate a pumpkin for school, so we decided to all decorate one. And then the tradition started. So here are the pictures of our second annual Price Pumpkin Family. I have to add that Danny always decorates his and Benjamin's pumpkins himself!
Happy Pumpkin Season!

Fall Break Fun!

2008-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Time for fall break fun! Abigail was off today and yesterday for fall break so in keeping with my decision to not be an uptight mom.....we decided to have a little fun. Yesterday she and I went to Hobby Lobby to get some fun fall crafts to paint. (Have I told you how thankful I am to have stores around now like Hobby Lobby?!) After painting she went to Nana's and learned more sewing. They created a little apron for one of her dolls. Quite cute!

So today was the jewel of fun. After haircuts, playing at Chick-fila and picking out pumpkins.... we got to face paint each other! We had some leftover face paints from Benjamin's birthday party and decided to go to town with them. It was great fun and Abigail loved getting to paint mommy's face. So if you are ever wondering what to do for the afternoon... find something that makes a big mess. It is always a hit!

Benjamin is THREE!

2008-09-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Yippee! Benjamin is three! We had a small dinosaur party for him this weekend that was lots of fun. It is hard to believe this little guy who was born in Delhi is already three... yet we sure have covered a lot of ground since he was born. He has already lived in three cities and two countries. He is definitely exploring his world these days. Unfortunately his favorite phrase is still.... "I DON"T WANT TO!" Even still, he is my cuddly little momma's boy and I will take all I can get as I know it goes by sooo fast. Happy Birthday my little man!

Friends with our new hats.... they were originally dinosaur eggs but at the end became stylish hats.

No dinosaur party is complete without it's very own volcano exploding just before our little explorers went on a dinosaur dig.

Face painting with our friend Juliann...

Making Memories and Messes

2008-09-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ok - for those that know me - I can be a bit of a serious person. No... really, I'm serious! I tend to be like my father and get a little task focused. As a mom, being task focused I sometimes forget that a lot of the joy is in the process, not the end result of the task at hand. So lately, I have been trying to loosen up a bit and laugh a little more. Needless to say, the kids are loving it.

About a week ago they were out playing in the backyard and got off task and suddenly found themselves in the midst of a bunch of mud. Now, normally, I would get quite frustrated and promptly tell them it was time to stop and get cleaned up. This time I caught Abigail off guard. She had a bucket full of mud they were playing with. Very sternly I told her to give it to me and then proceeded to dump the whole bucket on her. After her shock of mommy getting dirty with them, they ran around like crazy wild children until I hosed them down. But, instead of worrying about all the dirt - I chose to make a memory........

Hurricane Ike was on the way and we all headed to Hobby Lobby to get some projects for the day. When was the last time you made paper maiche'?? We decided to make dinosaur eggs for Benjamin's upcoming dinosaur birthday party. What a mess! So while it stormed outside, we busily dripped glue all over the floor and actually got some of it onto the newspaper and balloons.

So.. my lesson lately.... if in doubt, choose the mess as the laughter is sweeter than a clean floor.

What a Privilege

2008-09-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

"Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The kids shouted. They were so excited to spend this past Labor Day weekend with Granddad and Mimi. We spent Sunday over in Jefferson enjoying an adventure on the Cypress Bayou boat ride... OK, so it is really quite lame for a little tour - but we got a great history lesson of the local lore! The other picture is taken in the courtyard of one of the famous old Inns.

The kids love their time with their grandparents. It has really been a huge blessing to see how much they cherish each one of their relationships with the three different sets of grandparents. Each one is unique in its own way, but so very special. I guess some how for me after being gone for so long, I appreciate the grandparents even more.

Something else I am thankful for right now.... I just started a new bible study today. As we were giving our introductions, I realized it had been almost 6 years since I have been able to participate in a formal bible study. What a privilege it is to have so many opportunities around us. Whether it is grandparents or the chance to grow in God's word with other women, I don't want to lose sight of how much we should cherish these things.

Much love, Lori

"Back" to School

2008-08-21T18:29:00.000-07:00

He's Back.....
Today was Danny's first full day at work. He's been splitting his days recently between half work and half watching the Olympics. Not a bad time for someone to be stuck in the lazy boy recovering and getting to keep up with all the various sports! Although he has been thankful for the forced break, he was definitely ready to be back in the swing. While the recovery has gone fairly well, he still feels numbness in his left leg. The doctor said it could take up to a month for the nerve to completely recover - we're just praying that it does recover.

She's Back.....
First Grade has begun! Abigail was thrilled to get started this week again at school and was amazed that this year's teacher was as great as last years!

Not to be left out.....
Benjamin is sporting a new outfit today. Don't think I've lost it in giving Benjamin way-worn out clothes... but these overalls are the deal! These not only were worn by his very own Daddy.... but also his very own granddad...over 60 years ago!
Today we went to meet his teachers for Mother's Day Out...he's really been having a hard time with Abigail not being home and then today Daddy was gone too. Hard on a little guy as he told me with tears... "I miss them". So sweet how much he loves those two!

Walking is good!

2008-08-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

What a great and uneventful day! I am so thankful to report that Danny's surgery went very well today. We got there mid morning for all the pre-op stuff and then he was in surgery by 2 and home 6 pm. It is just an amazing thing how quick and simple they make these things now. He is able to walk on his own and should be back at work by Monday. Thank you for all your kind emails and prayers.
Many thanks and blessings.... Lori

Surgery is on!

2008-08-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update.... the surgery is on for today! How thankful we are that we are in Tyler and that we have friends and family around to be with.

Thanks for praying.... 1:00 pm TODAy..... day surgery at Mother Frances.

Love. Lori

Birthday Wishes & Back Woes

2008-08-11T18:24:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Gammy! (Danny's mom)

How nice it is to be in the states to celebrate birthdays with our various family members. There have been many that we missed and so it is always fun to be together!!

On a not so happy note... some of you may know that for a couple of years Danny has had ongoing problems with his back. About 2 weeks ago it went out again and then on Friday it went into leg numbness. This morning's MRI showed that part of a bulging disc has actually split off. So that news means he has no other choice but surgery. On Wednesday they are trying to schedule the surgery that will go in and remove the 'floater'. Fortunately it is only day surgery and the recovery should be fairly short. We'll keep you in touch.
Blessings... Lori

Sewing Lesson

2008-08-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

What better to do on a hot day? Have Nana give you a sewing lesson! Thanks Nana for the fun and the teaching. Evidently Abigail is becoming quite good at sewing on her little battery operated replica. She is getting to learn on the same type of machine that Nana had when she was a little one. Now Abigail's dolls' have a nicely sewn pillow just for them!

When the sewing was all done, it was time for a popsicle. I am pretty sure that more of it ended up on Benjamin's shorts than in his mouth. But it was a fun afternoon.
Much love! Lori

Who knew this could be so much fun!

2008-08-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am already loving hearing from you all. Thanks for letting me know how many of you are doing as well. What a blessing it is to have such great friends..... Much love! Lori

So what are they up to?

2008-08-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Now that you are approaching a year of being back in the States...what are you peculiar people doing?

Danny.....
He started to work for St. Paul's Clinic at the beginning of the year as their full-time pediatrician. This is a clinic that was formerly the health department's children's clinic, but has recently been semi-privatized. Basically - St. Paul's church has built a clinic to be used for the children of east Texas that either have no insurance or very little insurance. He has been so plesantly surprised to see how God developed his heart for the poor in Tyler while we were serving the poor in India. It might seem a little backwards - but he is very thankful for his job with St. Pauls. While brushing up on some long forgotten Spanish, he occasionally will have an Indian patient that he surprises with his Hindi!

Abigail.....
She turned six back in February and has really been the one we have seen the most change in since returning. Our sweet little girl had become very unhappy during our last months in India: frequent nightmares, major struggles with homeschooling, and general unhappiness. It was very hard to watch her go through that and not know exactly what to do to help her. Upon returning we put her in kindergarten at our church's school - Grace Community. What a blessing it was to have her here. Within just a month of enrolling, she received a character quality award for obedience!

This summer has been lots of fun for her. New things like having a pool in the neighborhood, library reading times and checking out library books, learning to fish, playing on her new swing set in the backyard, special times with all of her grandparents, playing a team sport for the first time (we attempted Upwards Tball this summer,) as well as day camp at Pine Cove. I know that many of these things may sound very normal - but for us - they are all brand new. Everyone kept asking what we were doing for the summer, and I kept wondering if we were supposed to have some magical summer plan! We'd never had a 'summer' type of schedule. But since the kids and I are still having a blast, I guess we've done ok!

She will start first grade at Grace on August 18. Until then... .keep swimming! :)

Benjamin......
Oh my, oh my! We always thought that Abigail was our strong willed child... until this year! Whew... he is all boy. He loves keeping up with everything Abigail does. In September he will turn three and I am just hoping that means that stubbornness will decrease?? In any case - he really is a sweet little guy. He loves to cuddle and loves to sit and read books. Just don't forget to wrestle with him first! Last year he did mother's day out 2x a week and will continue that this school year. He was very delayed in his speech and school has seemed to help him quite a bit. He is still quite difficult to understand at times but he is making progress. This summer his little activity has been gymnastics once a week. I would say half of the class has been spent saying... "I DON'T WANT TO!" But then again, his sweet teacher Ms. Jennifer doesn't take no for an answer.

I have loved watching him develop his little prayer life this year. He loves to pray and even thinks of things we don't tell him to pray for. The sweetest was praying for daddy's plane to be safe when he was gone and for baby cousin Samuel to sleep well in the 'vroom' (car.)

Lori.....
Well, lots of change over the year for me as well. As many of you might know, some of the reason for us returning to the US was to help me deal with my depression. Yes. There is that big word that you are supposed to say quietly. Depression. Yes. It is true. For the past five years, I have had an ongoing struggle with depression. Yes. It is true. I am truly thankful to have been down this road. Yes. It is true. I am still on the road. Yes. It is true... missionaries are real people with real problems.

Being back in our home and being surrounded by loving family, friends and support networks like Christian counseling, life is truly a brighter place. The fog has definitely lifted and I see God's loving hand directing me onto a new road. No longer do I want to be a performer. No longer do I want to 'work' towards a relationship with the Lord. I am now resting in being one who is greatly imperfect and allowing God to draw me unto Himself. Over a year ago, I found a verse that I clung to during many dark days......

"I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14

I kept hoping and praying that one day I would 'feel' that I was in the land of the living. Today, I do see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. So, for where ever you might feel you are - I say this... be strong and take heart. Wait for the Lord. He IS Good.

So, besides all of the heavier subjects - what does Lori do for fun? Over this past year, I have enjoyed many different projects as a creative outlet. Like refinishing a massive old desk, re-doing our guest bath and learning more about cake decorating. Maybe this fall I might even take another cake class!

A Couple of cake creations.....

If you made it this far.... thanks for hanging in there. We haven't really given much of an update about ourselves lately. So here is more than you probably wanted to know. But I promise my future entries will be MUCH shorter! Much love to you all...... Lori, for the Prices

Getting up to speed

2008-08-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

Ok..... so it seems that the majority of my friends understand blogging, facebooking, posting, etc... After catching up on so many of yours, I decided it was time that we joined the world of blogs. Please be patient as I learn and figure this all out. I have just been incredibly blessed to read many of yours and see what the Lord is doing through so many of your families. Plus this is such a great way to see all these growing kids. We send our love and greetings..... the prices.