Meanwhile back in Oshoto....

And now for the kids....Since we weren't there I borrowed some pictures from Monica to include with this post about the kid's time at the Bergs. She's quite experimental with her pictures so keep that in mind=)
Each evening I would call to check in and talk to the kids - then I'd talk to Sarah to get a more accurate picture of how the day went! It seemed like every time I called someone was holding either a snake or a spider. The first thing Logan would tell me was an update on the 'critter count' of the day - quite impressive! Most of the time their behaviour was pretty good, I was glad to hear that more than anything else.
The older two were a big help with all the younger ones. On one of the days Jared and Sarah had a previously scheduled meeting so they asked one of their teenage church girls to come over and help Monica babysit for the day. How would you like it if your babysitter looked like this?Jared and Sarah were, of course, great with each and everyone. They made the older two feel grown up with special privileges including staying up late, playing games, going hunting or fishing - doing things to help them stay busy and enjoy themselves. And they took care of the younger three with patience and kindness even in the middle of the crying-for-Mommy spells. Of course the older three had school to work on while they were there as well. Here's Sarah in the middle of a Dutch Blitz game with Monica.... Then there's the kitten who got more 'attention' than she probably wanted! Monica caught her with her face in a cup of water!
And a lovely picture of Jesse...the one who was up in the night with a cough and wouldn't settle down until big sister Monica took him outside and they looked at the moon and stars together.
Then there's the two cuties who (most of the time) play together like best buddies. On the morning we left they walked around holding hands and hugging goodbye like they were being separated forever.
Despite the fact that I was half eaten up with guilt the whole time we were gone I knew the kids were being taken care of incredibly well and that they would survive....I just was hoping the Bergs would still be friends with us when it was all over. Thankfully they are....I think!