Happy 6th Birthday Grace!

It is so hard to believe that our little Grace is six years old.  It seems like just yesterday she was on an airplane coming home to meet her new brothers and sister.  What an incredible three years it has been.

We continue to be amazed by how well Grace is doing.  What a blessing she is.  We are so thankful that we were chosen to be Grace's family. 

 Here are a few facts about our SIX year old:

 Grace is such a smart young lady.

  She is starting to read like crazy.  

Grace loves school.

Grace is a little "talkative" with her "table friends" at school (like mother like daughter?)

We are getting the feeling that Grace will be a great athlete (soccer is her current sport of choice).

She is daring and always willing to try new things.

Grace loves her stuffed animal friends and has a favorite doll (whose name changes from time to time).

She continues to like all things girly and "fancy."

Grace loves spending time with her siblings.

She loves technology (the computer and TV are favorites).

Given the chance, Grace would eat candy 24/7 (luckily, she is also a fan of veggies and she will try anything).

Grace is thriving and growing like crazy.  

She has a kind heart, is a good friend, and will always welcome an invitation to play.

Thank you for being such a sweetie Grace.  We love you and look forward to watching your sixth year of life be filled with joy and love.

Happy Birthday Grace!!!!

(I promise to post about Grace's 6th birthday celebration soon..."Rainbows" was the theme and a great time was had by all!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day 2013!

"The best & most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the Heart."

~Helen Keller

BRYCE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE!

We are so lucky to have Bryce in our family.  I love how God designs families so that each and every member is unique.  We all have our own interests, talents, and personalities.Our family is blessed to have Bryce.  Some of Bryce's current favorites are:  rocks (says he is going to be a geologist when he grows up), Skylanders, basketball, legos, reading (yeah!)- his favorite book series this year was The Series of Unfortunate Events, and listening to music/playing games on his ipod (the boy can sing and dance, but only when he is alone...no audience for this guy...he's way too shy).

 It is hard to believe that ten years have passed since the day we met Bryce (interestingly, it's been less than ten years that he has been Bryce...he didn't have a name for two days!!!!  He was "Baby Boy" on his hospital chart because we couldn't decide on a name for him- clearly I was in denial that I was having a boy).  Thankfully we love the name Bryce AND the fine young man that he is becoming.

Bryce is such a sweet boy.  He has such a kind heart and has always been a sensitive soul.  He was, and is, such a cutie!

We are looking forward to celebrating Bryce's special day with him.  He deserves to be celebrated!  He is super excited to be "double digits" (his mom is a wee bit sad about no longer having a nine year old).  

Happy 10th Birthday Bryce!

We love you sooooo much!

***Be sure to check back in a few days to see an update on Bryce's birthday surprise...it is a doozy (in my opinion...we'll see if I can handle his gift).

Dr. King

The following is the same post that I included on our blog last year...I can't think of a better first post for 2013...I promise a family update soon, but for now, enjoy a few of my favorite Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I have a dream...that little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

August 28th, 1963, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

(Grace and Alyssa - two years ago...)

And what would Dr. King say about the 147 million orphans in our world? 

 ...when considering adoption, 

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just the first step."

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wishing you the Peace, Joy, and Love

 that the true meaning of Christmas brings.

With love,

The Marquis Family

Sometimes It's So Hard To Write A Blog Post

I haven't really blogged about our life for a long time.  When this happens, I start to reflect on why it's so hard to write.  I would say that our busy schedule is the reason, but it's really more than that.  

Sometimes it is just hard to express how I feel.  I've noticed that when I don't write on the blog, there is usually a reason.  It is often that I am processing my feelings and wondering what I am being called to do next.  Alyssa and I have been working on The Sparkle Project, and our first project was to raise money for girls in Ethiopia to be sponsored to go to school.  It was a huge success.  It felt great to work on something with purpose and know that our efforts were making a difference in the lives of girls in Ethiopia.

So, what else has been on my mind?  Ethiopia.  It's the time of year when consumerism and materialism really gets to me.  I enjoy shopping and gift giving.  I love to celebrate the holidays.  I treasure the decorations, family traditions, and treats.  I am working extra hard to make sure that our family celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, but it's so easy to forget...so easy to get caught up.  Yesterday I found myself at a store wandering aimlessly to find a few more gifts for the kids...really?  I was just wandering...they need nothing...

And ...then my heart remembers Ethiopia.  How can I worry about having the perfectly decorated house when people that I know living in Ethiopia have this house to decorate?

How do I complain about having to do holiday grocery shopping and meal preparing when this is the local grocery store that many will visit in Ethiopia?

Preparing holiday meals and treats is a lot of work...how can I complain about it when others across the world prepare even their grain from scratch and have just enough to get by?

Sure I would love a few new and improved kitchen gadgets or appliances this holiday season, but do I need them?  This is the kitchen at the orphanage Grace was at.  They served about fifty people from this kitchen.  Notice the water source?

Part of the excitement of the holiday season is experiencing the holidays through the eyes of my children.  I can't help but think of these children, who are working daily to help provide for their families.  

And Christmas gifts, well, I can only hope that my own kids appreciate the blessings and special gifts that they will receive this Christmas as much as these sweet street boys did when we gave them a soccer ball.  It was a treasure to them.  They were so full of joy!

So, there you have it.  That's what has been on my mind.  I know that my lack of posting has something to do with a heavy heart.  I miss Ethiopia.  I miss seeing the love, joy and hope that the people in Ethiopia have.  Having experienced Africa and coming home is a juggling act.  You never want to forget, get complacent, or stop serving.  I know that "I need Africa more than Africa needs me..."

Last Day To Order Your "Sparkle" T-shirt!

It's not too late!  You can still order your awesome "Sparkle" 

t-shirts until the end of the day today.  I am submitting our order tomorrow, so please don't delay.  I want each and every one of you that is interested, to have the opportunity to support a beautiful girl in Ethiopia.  Remember...the shirts make great gifts and you will receive a photo of the girl that you are helping to support.  

You can find all the details to order HERE

Thanks so much!!!