My friend from Sudan.....

I had an experience today that is still haunting/inspiring me...I just wanted to share! Read if you want-don't if you don't-it's all good! I had to drop off some food donations and boxes we decorated for our YW/YM combined activity this week at the food bank. I had cute Jaycee with me and thought it would just be a routine errand. I backed into the dock and got out to unload-a few men were hanging out waiting to help. The man that came to help me was the blackest man I have ever seen-can I say that? Don't know how to say that "correctly". He had an accent when he spoke-was very polite. Honestly it was his shirt that intrigued me. I wish I had a picture-it was OBVIOUS that it was from Africa. It was a black shirt with a very colorful/busy yellow design. The collar was sort of v neck and crocheted around the edges. Pretty fancy and casual all at the same time. I wondered about this man as I looked into his eyes-don't eyes always share a story?? I really wondered what those eyes had seen-what his life had been like. I just wanted to see what he has seen and know his story. His journey was for sure so different from mine! SO....I asked about his awesome shirt. He told me his mom had brought it back for him. That led to him telling me he was here from Sudan-that they were political refugees. Ohhhh-I wanted to know more. I wanted hours to listen-maybe a photo album to see. He spoke of guns and being shot at. Of blood and unrest. We started to talk of the blessings of America-I shared with him that I had never experienced what he had, that I've always been blessed to be here. That it made me sad that although I am a good person and pretty humble ;) I felt like we as Americans never have enough. He shared his perspective...SO INTERESTING...he said "People are hungry. They get food-they want better food. 1st thing I wanted when I came here was a tv. I got my tv-now I want a big flat screen. We are all the same. We are human."

Take that. Interesting we are all very much the same. I will always remember this special man from Sudan...grateful for a moment to be humble and realize how alike we really are just as humans. I hope this sweet man continues to work hard-that he makes a good life here and contributes something to society that nobody else can-and that someday I will see him again so I can buy him lunch and listen more. Funny that sometimes we are blessed to meet people that will mold us-he touched my life and I will never be the same. Weird who ends up in our path on this journey of life-I don't at all believe that anything that happens is ever a coiincidence-I'm grateful for all the little lessons I learn from everyone I meet. People are amazing! I'm even more grateful tonight to be in my safe home-with my family-in this awesome country.

My Crazy Sawyer

Tonight he was shooting our dang wasp nests with a dollar store squirt gun....I told him it wasn't smart but he thought it was hilarious. Good thing he can run fast and they didn't get him!
These paintings from kindergarten were in his backpack today. The flower I totally understood-so sweet-he loves his mom and made it for me. Love that boy. The other painting I needed an explanation. Ready for this??? The blue is the sky-then blood, then dirt, then blood, then dirt, then yellow ink & then grass. Yikes. He's all boy. What a funny kid! He cracks me up.

Hello!!!!

Alyssa's first day of Jr High.....
Sawyer's first day of Kindergarten.....
Jaycee's first day of preschool.....

Wow! We have been crazy busy-probably just like the rest of you!!! Angie-saw your comment-yes I do live in my car! It's nuts! One kid in jr high, one in elementary all day, one in kindergarten & one in preschool. PLUS everything else they do-seriously...how does everyone do this? ;) Between busy and my camera breaking at girls camp (that ticked me off...but I love my new camera!) the blog has been a little neglected. Oh well! The kids are all in school and they love it. It's fun to see them grow and learn and become. It's awesome! Shay started school before everyone and her cute pic is on the card from the old camera-dang it! I'll have to get that put on a disc and post it. She's a cutie!