Veggie Tales

As many of you know, Preston loves music. We always have some music playing in his room. It might be Coldplay, Childrens songs, worship music, or something else but there is always music. I recently purchased a Veggie Tales CD for $4. Those of you who know Veggie Tales, know how fun, energetic and creative the songs can be. Preston just loves the new addition to his CD collection and here is a video to prove it! Notice how he is 'dancing' to the music.

Cgroup Ladies

I went out to dinner tonight at Canyon Cafe with some ladies from my Cgroup (small group from Church). The dinner was to celebrate the March to May Birthday's (my Birthday is on May 19th) and we had a lovely time. It was nice to chat about life, family, current events, etc... and eat some super yummy food. Here are a few pictures of the food and of the group. All five Birthday ladies received a FREE dessert! Thank you so much, Canyon Cafe.

Here are four of the Birthday girls (Amanda, Sharon, myself and Rosemary).
Here are most of the lovely women from our group. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Hang out

Here are a couple pictures of our time together today. We just love to hang out as a family as much as we can and we were able to do that today for a bit. Note - these pictures are so sweet!

New Shoes

Preston needed a new pair of summer shoes. The Dalbey's had a $21 dividend at REI. REI sent us a 20% off one item coupon in the mail. Combine all three things and Preston got a SUPER COOL new pair of Keen Newport H2 Sandals tonight. Original price of 39.95, but we paid about $14. I just love Preston's new shoes because they are lightweight, flexible, well made and (this is the best part) Lime Green! Photos of Preston wearing his new shoes to come soon.

Play Room

After a month, yes a month, of working piece by piece on painting the play room I finally finished yesterday afternoon. Well, I still have a few corner areas to paint, but the room is finished enough to put all the toys back on the shelf and play. We are ALL happy to have the room back. Here are a few pictures of the finished product. Here is preston playing with his Mega Blocks.
The table and chairs back in place.

Here is a good picture of the new paint color (Cream in my Coffee) with the nice white trim.

Here is a view of the play room, looking into Preston's bedroom.

The Magic House

Last Friday we took Preston to the Magic House. We had heard (or read from her blog) from our friend, Emily, that it was free to get in the Magic House the 3rd Friday of the month - it was true. So, we packed up and headed out last week. We all had a blast. I had not been to the magic house since I was a little girl so it was great to head back, see the updates and spend time with Preston. Here are a few pictures.

Preston still LOVES trains.

He loved the water toys, but had a little too much fun splashing himself and others. Sorry!

I can allready hear Preston saying - 'when can I drive?'

The sandbox is definately Preston's favorite! He spend a good 5 minutes here.

Discipleship

This is a photo of myself and 6 senior girls this morning at Forest Park. For the past 6 years, I have been working with this group of girls from my church. I like to call myself more than just their Youth Leader, but a big sister, mentor and friend. I love these girls so much. It has been a great honor to be with them, spend time with them, celebrate life and talk about faith with them. I am excited to continue to journey through life together with these girls.

Future US Marine?

Sometimes I wonder if Preston is ging to be a future United States Marine. Here sure does look like one, and his dad, with his new hair cut! Preston let Steven give him the hair cut with his clippers. Yeah for FREE hair cuts and a cute little boy!

Here is a quick photo of Preston at Youth Group last night. We went to Queeny park to play ultimate frisbee and I decided to bring Preston because he loves being outside. We also had some Ted Drews Ice Cream - yummy! Oh yes, Thank you to Grammie for the cute new shorts.

More Reasons why I Love Spring

Night with the girls

The Dalbey Trio headed over to Miss Leah's house tonight for a fun time to hang out with friends. Steven and Preston went with Todd and Eli to the Magic house (pictures to come) while Katrina stayed back with Leah, Anna, Megan, Carolyn, Christi and Ashleigh. Anna and Ashleigh are cousins, while the adult ladies are all friends from MIZZOU! I had a blast catching up with friends, walking in downtown Maplewood and taking pictures of the babies. Here are some photos from our time together this evening. Enjoy!

Top row: Katrina, Leah, Megan, Bottom Row: Christi and Ashleigh, Carolyn

Beautiful flowering tree on our walk through Maplewood

Sweet baby Anna being held by mommy, Leah

Beautiful blue eye baby Ashleigh

Anna and Ashleigh together at last. Anna lives in St. Louis, Ashleigh live in Tucson.

Pics from this week

We have had a fun time this week in the Dalbey home. On Monday, the Church office was closed so Katrina and Preston went to the Zoo to meet up with some friends.
Here is Preston in the stroller just taking it all in!
Here is Preston in the Children's zoo. He loved petting the guinea pigs and bunny (hop hop) rabbits:
Here is Preston in the Imagination Station Room. They had so many fun activities for kids like a play house, a sandbox, building blocks and Preston's favorite; the water tub!
What would a kid room be without a tunnel?! Preston just loves the tunnel.
Here is Katrina and Preston after Youth Group on Wednesday night. Preston was VERY tired and wanted to be help close to mommy. I think the look says it all. Finally, here is Preston and Steven at lunch today at the Boat House here in St. Louis. They look they are having a lot of fun! :)

What is your Glue?

While I was in Honduras, I spent some time on the streets of Tegucigalpa. I was there to see and interact with the young boys, and some girls, who live on the street everyday. Many of these children cannot or will not go home. Some have been abandoned by their parents. Some live on the streets because their parents have no money and have no food or shelter to give them. Some come from violent or abusive homes and the street is 'safe'. These kids beg for food or dig in the trash to find food. They sleep under a bridge or on the sidewalk. They wear whatever clothes they can find and rarely take a shower. Oh yes, most of these kids are also addicted to glue. This glue is a shoe glue that the kids take, pour into an old soda bottle or plastic cup and inhale through their mouth and nose. The glue is highly addictive and does more damage to their brain, kidneys, lungs, etc.. than drugs like cocaine or heroine. The kids become addicted to the glue because it numbs their feelings of hunger, cold, heat, etc... I should also mention that this glue numbs the emotional pain all of these kids bring to the streets from their past life.


One morning my small group went to the street to hand out food, meet some of the kids and take a look at what life on the street is like. What I saw has changed my life - forever! First, I saw a young man named Alejandro who was/is completely addicted to glue, not letting it go for even a second. I later found out that giving up your glue is really, really hard. Here is Alejando:
Here is Alejando with Micah Project Staff Member, Becca:

Here is Alejandro with his glue:
The glue is their life, their comfort, their source of hope that they can make it another day. This young man had at one point joined the Micah Project (The Ministry to help these street kids). Sadly, his addiction was so strong and his wounds so great that he went back to the streets. The Micah project continues to pursue him and pray for him because they know that the longer this boy is on the streets, the less time he may have to live his life. Second, I met a husband and wife who were eager to show our group their home. When we came to their house I quickly realized that it was situated on the side of a pile of trash. There home was made of trash and they were so proud of what they had. Here is their home: Finally, I saw a sweet little boy named Axel. Axel is about 11 years old, addicted to glue and has lived on the streets for some time. When we met, he was very hungry and told our group that he wanted to leave the streets and be a Micah boy. I am encouraged to say that Axel did leave the streets later that week and is a part of the Micah Project. Here is Axel that first day we met: We are also supporting him and praying for him as he breaks his glue addiction and learns what it means to be loved and cared for.


So, what does this all mean? How does this experience impact who I am and what will/did I learn? First, I learned that only by the grace of God do these boys leave the streets and enter into the Micah Project Ministry. I hear that breaking a glue/drug addiction is really hard, not to mention the emotional wounds these boys bring to the house can be painful and difficult to process. I do know that they Micah project has been working with boys for over 10 years and has seen tremendous growth and progress. Truly, the grace of God is powerful to change these young lives. Second, I leave more thankful for all that I have. When I saw the couple's house made of trash I was overcome with so many emotions that as soon as we walked away I started to cry. Why did I cry? I started thinking about my house and all that I wish I had, yet do not. Now, let me confess something to the reading world: I struggle with this - A LOT! Yes, I have a nice 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house with a fenced in yard, lovely windows and wood floors. Do I wish I had more? Yes, I do. Part, not all, of my struggle comes from attending a nice Church in St. Louis were many people have VERY nice homes in Frontenac, Ladue, Kirkwood, Town & Country, etc.. that have 3 - 4 bedrooms, designer furniture, updated kitchens, finished basements, etc... Some people we know even have farm houses, second homes in nice parts of the country, etc... I really struggle and compare what I have to what others have. I often sit in church and feel less important than those who wear nicer clothes, the latest styles and have more disposable income than they know what to do with. Oh yes, did I mention the private school factor? Many of the students we work with attend private schools here in St. Louis. some of the school cost between $12,000 and $20,000 a year. That is more than I make working part time in a year. It is hard for me to not compare what I have to others and I often, if not daily, forget to be thankful for what I do have. Let me quickly say that I don't struggle with this just because of the Church I attend. I attend a great church, with generous, caring and loving people. I struggle with this because I am human and a sinner. I struggle with this because it is my glue. Wanting more, even if it is just a little bit more, and not being thankful for what I have is the drug I feed myself on a daily basis. I can't let go of my drug. I think I deserve more/better. I think about what I would like to have and how I could work to get it. Going to Honduras has helped me to put some things into perspective, yet again. Finally, I learned to remember the good things in my life. To name a few: I have my family, friends, a job. I may not be rich with money, a bigger house or even some new clothes, but I am rich with those around me who love me, believe in me and enjoy being with me. I remember mentioning to Michael Miller (Director of the Micah Project) and some students that I didn't marry into money, but I married into a spiritually rich family with so much compassion and a heart to care for others. For those of you that know my husband, Steven is a man of great compassion that loves the Lord and loves others. For all that I have - I am truly thankful. My trip to Honduras was a great blessing. I learned so much and I am so thankful that I was able to go. I encourage you to think about what your 'glue' of choice may be and how you may be called into the process of letting it go for so much more - LIFE.

Easter Egg Hunt Video

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!! The Dalbey Trio hopes you and your loved ones had a lovely day. We certainly did. After a lovely service this morning at our Church, we headed over to Grammie and Papa's house for some good food, time to hang out, play bocce ball and search for some eggs! (We went to Grandad and Grandma Denton's house yesterday to visit but did not take any photos - my bad). Here is how Preston's first Easter Egg hunt went:

First, Papa helped Preston put on his shoes.

Next, we gave Preston and empty Easter basket. Please note that he had just taken a nap and was still a little dazed. Can you see the wild hair? :)

We then headed outside for the hunt to begin! Preston did very well and tried to hold more than a couple eggs in his hands at a time.
Just look at this happy boy with Easter Egg and Basket in hand.

All the eggs were collected and placed in a couple baskets. Wow - that is a lot of candy and treats!

Spring Saturday

I just love a lovelyspring morning. Enjoy the photos.

Good Friday

"The poop heard round the world!!" What a timely poop, Good Friday, and a good friday it has been: Tonight is the night that Preston laid his first turd in the big boy trainer potty!! We have had a fun day running around outside, playing with the dogs, and digging in the sand box. Around 10:30am this morning, Preston and Daddy (me) went to Lions Choice to get some french fries and a small ice cream cone to share as a special treat. We then found out that our friends Chris and Andrea Sanders and thier daughter Ava Jane were in town. Preston and Ava Jane have been pals since the days in the womb, so we went to meet up with them. Who would have known that tonight would have been such a monumental occasion. Preston was so proud of himself for laying that little turd, and began clapping with us as we cheered him on. It must have sounded so humorous with all of us laughing and cheering tonight, but WOW, he did it! Have a good, Good Friday and happy Easter.

Great Grandma and Painting

After the Dalbey Trio returned from Spring Break, Great Grandma and Grandpa Koslow came in town from Florida to visit. We really enjoyed our time with them and Preston really liked the new truck they game game. Here is a picture of Preston and Great Grandma.

I also began a new project at the Dalbey home. As you can see from the photos, I am painting Preston's play room. I was tired of the simple/boring wood panneling and decided to make the room feel warm and soft. I painting the trim around the windows a pure white and am now working on the walls. The color for the wall is 'Cream in my Coffee'. It is very nice and I am looking forward to the projects completion. I will make sure to take some pictures when everything is back to 'normal'.