Friday Family Fun

Sugar went and got snow cones for everyone.  She bought the mix and the ice from her favorite local stand.  She is so fun!

We all munched on ice as watched our favorite family show, Girl Meets World.

Beautiful with Bagel

Adorable and Mommy

We also sang Happy Birthday to Goobers with Cake.  We didn't have cake for her last year and I didn't want that to happen to go again this year. (We had to wait for Bear to return fro Haiti.)

What I love about this group of wonderful people is that they can make any situation fun.  

Bear's Mission Trip to Haiti #2

Bear left us again for week.  He loves this time with our Lord.  I know he worked hard and prayed constantly.

This year we got to help the mission trip by being the ones that purchased some supplies for the church.  Bear carried an extra bag filled with hosts, candles, burners and incense.

The missionaries were very happy even though they had a very early start (3am).

shared from a STAOP Facebook Page

Bear said,

"I would like to start out by saying thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, I couldn't have done it without the prayers, and support." 

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Lauren Royle on Facebook

Bear added this quote to this picture on Facebook,

"Going to Haiti really opened my eyes, it can be difficult to see Christ in everyone but he is there. Every single person is worth the life God has given them. Every single person is worth dying for. Every single person deserves our love, and respect.  ‪#‎gowithGod‬"

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

shared from a STAOP Facebook Page

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Bear's Words about above Picture:

"I don't really have any adequate words for this. God has created something so beautiful, I'm so glad he has given me the chance to witness it. #GowithGod#sunset"

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Emily Reeg on Facebook

shared from a STAOP Facebook Page

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

One of this years missionaries is a true artist.  Miss Martha Or showed her love for Our Lady using what was provided.  It might not last forever but it is a true sign of beauty. 

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Shared from Martha Or on Facebook

Bear said this,

"I keep trying to think of my favorite part of the trip, every time nothing comes close to hanging with Jesus on the beach. It doesn't matter what language you speak, we are worshipping our Lord, and that's all the matters. ‪#‎GowithGod‬ ‪#‎hatit‬‪#‎catholic‬"

shared from a STAOP Facebook Page

Sent from Bear's Phone at Haiti airport

I know that Bear had a wonderful time. It wasn't an easy time but he grew as a person,  He grew in his faith.  Bear said that unlike last year they did witness the evils of Haitian vodou, and the sad thing is that the local priests treated it as common place (sadly for them it is common place).  He grew again in his love of the people there.  He again worked hard at helping to build up the base.
   ** thanks to all that charged pictures on Facebook.
******I know the girls took in posters as we picked up members from the trip form the airport.  When pictures surface I will edit them in. *******

Thank you to all that continue to pray for these missionaries including our precious Bear.  Please also continue to pray for the LifeTeen Mission Base in Haiti and all those who give of themselves through this work.  Pray for all the souls of this beautiful country of Haiti and the beautiful people that have simple lives filled with joy!  Click here to give to LifeTeen Mission Base in Haiti, they are the hands and feet of Christ in this area of Haiti.

Nail Polish? Really? Poor Sugar!

We  just learned another lesson - the HARD way.  I was shocked to learn that prawn shells are used in some makeup to give them shimmer.  

Article taking about fish scales in fingernail polish. 

I know it is hard to believe but apparently there are alkyds of weird things in our products.

This is crazy.  Sugar doesn't stand a chance.  Fish oils and shellfish scales are used in all kinds of makeups.  

Poor girl painted her nails right before heading to bed.  Then she immediately started to swell up in her hands, and then her throat started to close.  So instead of bed we headed to the ER.

Thank you God for allowing us more time with our Sugar.  We love her bunches and bunches.  The attacks are so frightening.  I am so sad for her.  Thank God for our current medicines and it would be nice if we could not have another attack ever!  We love you Sugar!

Goober is 21!

 Goobers started her birthday with a toast with Pooker after midnight.  21 is a big one!

Pooker had nothing but beautiful words to say about Goobers on her birthday:

"The day you were brought home my life was dramatically changed"
My sister is my best friend. Goobers means the world to me. She is the most joyful, caring and overall wonderful person I've ever met. She keeps me and all of her siblings in line. She loves so deeply. Her heart is as big as they come. I really don't know where I would be without her love and support. She has gotten me through my worst days and has been by my side cheering on the best ones.
Welcome to the party! I have been waiting for your 21st since my 21st. We're not the crazy party girls and I know we're not intending on ever going too far with our drinking, but I am happy to have a roommate who can get the alcohol before I get home. wink emoticonwink emoticonI love you so much.
Everytime I have sisters as patients, I have to keep from losing it. You absolutely mean the world to me and I don't know what I would do without out. I'm so proud of who you are. Keep growing in your faith and being a light in this world for others. 
Happy 21st birthday!

We all took Goobers to lunch to Chuy's for her day. 

Sugar had this to say:

"Happy birthday Goobers!!! Thanks for always being there for me, and everyone else!!! You really are AMAZING!!! ‪ ‪#‎cutie‬ #21 ‪#‎bigsister‬‪#‎bestfriends‬ 😘😘🍹🍸🍷🍻🍺"

Princess simply said this,

"Happy birthday to this girl I can't believe you're 21.#21 ‪#‎oldersister‬ 🎉🍺🍻" 

Look at that Goober's ordered a beer!  You go girl!

She also tried Pooker's margarita.

It was a delightful lunch except that we were really missing Bear.  He is gone in Haiti.  This is especially hard on Goobers.  They are such great friends.  She really missed him.

Beautiful

Adorable

My two purple girls are giving each other trouble.

Beautiful 

Later that night us big kids set out to party.  Pooker had us going to an Italian Restaurant were we would enjoy good company, good food, and good wine! 

Pooker and Goobers ordered a delicious bottle that we all shared!  

Our server and the manager made sure to make Goobers feel special on her special day!  It was awesome to be treated so nicely.

As we sat at dinner, the best part of the day came.  Goobers got a text from her brother Bear in Haiti.  He had to borrow someone's phone with international set up.  it just said, "Hi Goobers, it is Bear.  Happy Birthday, I love you!"  She teared up with the biggest smile on her face.  Then she showed us. I love how tight these kids are.

**** When Bear returned home he said this on Facebook:

"So this past week my dear older sister turned 21. Goobers truly is the best of the best. So I'd just like to say happy birthday. Honestly I wouldn't be Bear with out you. ‪#‎GowithGod‬ #21"

**** (added)

That was the best part!  I just can't explain how wonderful the relationship these kids have.  They love each other and admire the good in each other.  They want heaven for each other.  

 We ordered deserts but Goobers came with a candle and a song in Italian.

After we settled the bill the manager came over with four shots to celebrate Goobers birthday.  Limoncello is an Italian lemon flavored liquor made in Italy.

They were delicious and had us giggling the rest of the night.  The dj made sure to play "Happy Birthday" as we left and the night ended as beautifully as it began.  God has blessed the world with this wonderful woman.  We know that she will continue to grow in her faith and continue to develop into a strong independent person.  We love you bunches Goobers! We could not be more proud of you!   Happy happy birthday!