museum

While Isaiah listens to the explanation behind how dinosaur footprints are discovered,

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Science center

The other two play on the footprints of dinosaurs.

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Take a look at thi

On our way home.

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Elijah's drawing

Micah's First Lost Tooth

During the Christmas play at church on Saturday night, after the first song when the lights dimmed, Micah crept off stage to tell the director, "My tooth is loose.  What if it falls out while I'm singing?"  She laughed and assured him that it would be all right.  He finished the show without incident.  Sunday he made sure to excitedly show every person we know "ook, I ha a oose ooth."  I had forgotten the excitement of your first loose tooth.

A couple of weeks ago, he showed me that he had a tooth growing up behind his baby teeth.  While I contemplated finding a new dentist, paying for said dentist and making an appointment, the tooth falls out on its own.  Score for procrastination.

Every night this week, after lights out at bedtime, Micah comes into the living room saying his loose tooth is preventing sleep.  Eric would try to wiggle it for him, but Micah wouldn't let him do much.  Finally on Wednesday, his annoyance trumped his low pain tolerance, and he let Eric pull away.  The tooth popped out and you've never seen a happier Micah.

Our tooth fairy has been a little unreliable in the past.  She is sometimes unprepared for Elijah's teeth because his seem to just fall out all of a sudden and she is caught on vacation, or she has a cold.  This time though, she was ready.

Elijah's comment the next morning when Micah emerged from his room with his dollar:  "Wow, the tooth fairy remembered you on the first night.  That never happens to me."

Watch "Sleddi.g2" on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS4mR_5q9pg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Singing

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Take a look at this picture!

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Elijah's verse

Christmas Program

Elijah and Micah sing solos

Zay dances

Gift Giving

For over a year I've been reading and thinking about micro-finance.  There are several reputable non-profits that provide individuals with the opportunity to financially invest in the livelihood of a person who would use the funds to receive training and grow a business for themselves and their families.  Because women have been deprived of education for so many centuries in some countries, I felt most burdened to support their efforts. 

Cambodia is a country famous for many positive things, but also for sex-trafficking.  Many organizations are working hard to end the sex trade using a variety of methods, and World Hope International is certainly doing their part.  Adelphe is one of their more recently developed programs where international sisterhoods are coordinated.  Women commit to sponsoring other women (many from Cambodia right now).  This gift of monthly sponsorship, $1 a day, provides the Cambodian sister with education for herself and potentially her children, capital to grow her livelihood, health and nutrition education, resources and tools for agriculture, entrepreneurship skills and animal multiplication skills.  All of these gifts result in a woman who will be able to care for herself and her children, and who will not feel forced to resort to prostitution in order to provide for her family.

My new sister's name is Yat Luoen.  She is a young single mother and currently earns about $0.08 a day for her family by growing and selling vegetables.  Consider giving the gift of opportunity through Adelphe of World Hope International or some other trusted organization as you make your gift giving list for Christmas.