Driving home today.

Maggie says: "Mommy...I'm fabulous!"

C: "Yes...you are sweetie."

M: "Mommy are you fabulous?"

C: "Umm..Yes I am."

M: "Henry is not fabulous."

C: "Oh yes he absolutely is."

M: "They talk about fabulous on Sesame Street."

-Just a typical conversation with my three year old.-

appetizer post

I know pictureless blogs aren't as fun, so I apologize. But, hopefully a funny story and a few quotes from the kids will tide you over until I can post some pictures.

Story 1: Tyler and I have been trying to teach Maggie and Henry about the cross, resurrection and true purpose of Easter. Somehow dying on a cross doesn't sound as heinous to a three year old as receiving a "spanking." So, in an effort to communicate to our three year old the act of love our Saviour showed us by taking our punishment on our behalf, we have been talking about the massive "spanking" he suffered. The spanking we truly deserved, but He took so we wouldn't have to even though he didn't do anything to deserve it. So, a few days ago Maggie disobeyed me and I told her that she was going to get a spanking because of what she had done. She knew it was coming and with tears in her eyes she said, "I want you to give it to Jesus." I was a tad dumbfounded at the time, but since then I have shared this story with a friend and she told me that it would make a great sermon illustration. And, I think she is right on so many levels. Well, to wrap up the story, she in fact got the spanking and we went a little deeper in our theology explaining that we still get spanked, but Jesus took the BIGGEST spanking we could ever imagine. Making for one very confused, thankful, yet somewhat disappointed little girl. Parenthood is pretty hard sometimes.

Quote 1: Maggie- "What is God doing right now?"

Quote 2: (after having lunch with Tyler during his lunch break) Maggie- "Daddy don't go to work I want you to stay home with us forever."

Henry had a vocabulary explosion over the weekend and has started saying some fun things along with some words he's had stored away, so to give him some props here is a list of things he says these days.
"Here you go"
"all done"
"baby"
"Bible"
"Maggie"
"Bella"
"poo poo" (yep that's right)
"Poppa" (always said in a whisper)
"please"
"doggie"
"ball" (said on every trip to Target in the parking lot...perhaps you know what I'm talking about)
"mommy" "daddy" ( He used to call us both "mommy" but is now making a distinction...he has even called one of our students (tall/African American/male) "mommy" on two seperate occasions. Makes you rub your head a little there.)
-He is a big head nodder and still doesn't say "yes" only shakes his head. I think its pretty cute though.
-He says quite a bit more, but my mind is going blank so I hope that will satisfy some eager grandparents in Kansas and SC for now. Thanks for reading.

Dizzy Dancing on Deck

This is the life.

Last week the extended Dirk's crew took a seven day cruise down the Baja Peninsula, which included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerta Valarta. We had a great time with Grams, Dog, Aunt Roomie and the Jackson family and friends. We ate our hearts out, enjoyed lots of fun activities on our ship and ashore. The kids didn't fall overboard, Maggie turned three, the Jackson's celebrated 51 years of marriage and no one got seasick. So, all in all it was a great trip, thank you Grams and Dog for a wonderful vacation.

These crazy creatures awaited us in our room everynight after dinner (and there were funny towels folded like animals too).
Maggie turned three on the ship and her Grandpa treated her to a virgin daiquiri, and like a good sister she shared with little brother. However, he became very frusterated when he'd drink it because he got brainfreezes every few sips.
She celebrated in style that evening at our formal dinner. Not sure how we're going to top next year, perhaps we'll take her to a spa or something equally luxurious.
Our housekeeper introduced Henry to her vacuum cleverly named "HenryXtra." They were fast friends, Henry was sucked in by his friend's charming personality.
Maggie and Henry both loved having their Aunt Melodee with them all week. Our only regret was that their future Uncle Abe couldn't make it. But, we look forward to spending some time with him this August when he and Aunt Roomie tie the knot!
Henry throws Grams a pass in Cabo.

Some very special grandparents!
The Dirks at sea. (Henry given the ole' Arsenio Hall "whoop.")
We took taxies at each of our ports of call and they were an experience in themselves. This one was in Mazatlan, and one of our favorite rides.
Tyler parasailing in Mazatlan.
Our assigned table at dinner with a beautiful ocean view. One morning (not in this dining room) we actually saw several whales splashing around, it was really cool.
The view from the Windjammer, the cafe on the ship.
Maggie likes Cabo!
Henry perfoms his safety demonstration.This was Puerta Valarta, the waves were enormous and roughed Melodee and I up a bit. We thought we could handle them, but apparently we couldn't. The waves slapped us around a bit and we lost our sunglasses (last seen in this picture) and decided we'd prefer to just look out into the horizon.

Maggie getting her hair braided in Puerta Valarta.
Henry enjoying the arms of his Dog, a salty/sandy pacifier and the wide open sea in Mazatlan.

more posts

If you'd like to check out more pictures and blurbs on our time in Honduras with the McCanns then check out there blog http://cosmocam.blogspot.com/

Honduras Trip

Last week was our greatly anticipated trip to La Ceiba, Honduras. It was such a wonderful trip in so many ways. We loved loved loved seeing and spending time with our friend's the McCanns. I don't know what I expected, but my expectations whatever they were, were far exceeded by our time together, by our team and even by Maggie and Henry. All I can say is that God is good and at work in Honduras, both in La Ceiba and Armenia Bonito (a poorer town not far from La Ceiba, where the majority of ministry happens). I have a new found respect for our missionary friends there and all over the globe. I know how to pray more specifically for them and for the people there. They are rockstars, but even more so is our good God that has shone His gracious light on a hurting and lost people group.

Maggie was super excited to see her friend Lucy. I didn't even see her when we initially arrived at the airport because I was so focused on getting Maggie to the potty after we deported the airplane, but Maggie said as we walked right by her friend, "hey Lucy."

We weren't the only hard workers in Honduras. These little guys were practically lugging an entire tree over a fence.
Our student's were amazing. They worked tirelessly during our week. They gave up their time, energy and spring break to share the love of Christ with complete strangers.
There were cute little people, like this crew, everywhere. Many of their stories, broke my heart, and I was moved to tears hearing about many of the hardships such young souls have experienced.
The children were eager to be a part of our team's efforts and loved the attention they received.
Even if it was crazy Tyler attention.
Lindsey and I had a lot of time with just us and our kids, while the Daddies worked with our JWU team. We brought the crew out to the work site for a picnic on Monday, kid's club on Tuesday, and girl's beauty day on Wednesday.
On Friday we headed to the beach to enjoy some R&R. Apparently we weren't the only ones looking for a retreat. These cows stormed the beach an hour or so after we arrived; something I've never experienced before. Sean bravely held them off with a whiffle ball bat while we gathered our things and hit the pool inside the gate and the confines of Hotel Canadien.
Mr. Sean was not only our cow herder, but also our pool-side entertainer inside the gates of the abandoned hotel Canadien. Henry was impressed, but was pretty excited about the "balls" found at the base of the coconut trees.
The view from the airport; Armenia Bonito is just a few miles behind the airport.

It was such a great trip and the Lord was so gracious to our team and to our family. Thank you all for your prayers and support for this trip, they were felt! And thank you McCanns for housing our wild family for a week, you guys are the best.

Joseph Evan Tyler

Joseph Evan Tyler was born Saturday, February 20, at 10:50 A.M. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. He measured 21 inches long, and every bit of him is absolutely adorable. He was due to arrive while we were in Honduras, but knowing that his favorite Aunt would be out of the country then, he decided to come a little early. He knows how to win over a heart right off the bat. My sister was incredible and little Joe was quite the warrior. Congratulations John, Christine and Brody!