Thursday, December 30, 2010

I'll take "Words That Start With an S for 500," please


Squinchy? Swirly? Squirmy?

I don’t know how to title it, where it came from, or why it feels like this…

I’ve got absolutely nothing to complain about. I’m in my kinda place right now: a local, artsy coffee shop. Jesus lovers. Great music. Thinking people. A church meeting place. An art gallery of photography from Haiti. And I’m pretty sure this cup I’m sipping coffee from will be immediately recycled to restore the pearly gates through which all green people will enter Heaven.

But I’m painfully aware of a deep-down discomfort in me today. Perhaps some of it has been gleaned from the hurting and lonely faces I’ve seen amidst holiday hustle and bustle. Perhaps some of it is being homesick – for Africa, for Lifa, and for a place I’ve never known.

What I do know is that I’m calling out on my Jesus to hold me today.

Love feels broken.

I’ve been asking God why love has to feel so broken. Why do we let some people in and not others? Why are there different degrees of love? Family? Home? Belonging? Who decides them? How do we set this invisible criteria we live according to, each person walking around with our own unspoken law?

It’s so uncomfortable to meet all of my own criteria and try to meet others.

It’s time for a new criteria.

A new kind of comfort. A comfort that works even when love feels so broken.

I have a feeling love is going to stay broken…
Whether I’m in America or South Africa.
It’s just a hunch, really.
So I’ve started asking Jesus what He has to say about love in 2011.

Jesus, break me for broken love – in a way that doesn’t look for fixing. In a way that purifies and cleanses the broken. The kind of love that touches the lepers, the orphaned, the widowed, the sick. Even if they don’t get fixed. Even if I don’t get fixed.
And forgive me for this criteria I carry around.
How do I release expectations?
How do I release sadness?


Then He started talking…

Kacy, my Beloved, broken love is sad. But it’s still love and it’s real love.

1 Corinthians 13. Paul’s words were about what perfect love is, reminding us that this is the criteria, but to leave wiggle room for broken pieces for a little while longer.

“…but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears…
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I show know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:10,12 (NIV)

Perfection is coming. It’s just not here yet.

“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (The Message)

Love extravagantly.

“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.”
1 Corinthians 14:1a (The Message)

After the shiny gifts are unwrapped, Dick Clark drops the ball and this coffee cup’s been recycled…. It all disappears.

Love remains. It’s broken today, but you tell us to “follow the way to love” (1 Corinthians 14:1a again… this time NIV)

Jesus, show me the way to love. Show me how to follow the way with no expectations, check lists or self-defined disappointment.
I’ll feel the sadness. Broken love is sad. Put my hands, heart, words and all of me into what’s broken. And help me to live by faith, clinging to the hope of what’s coming… perfection.
Inscribe Your words in my heart, so, when it hurts, I’ll remember it’s not for no reason.
“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be also revealed in our body… For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
1 Corinthians 4:10, 17 (NIV)

He has a lot to say about love in 2011.

Even the broken, bendy, hurty kind of love. I’d rather be broken by broken love than know no love at all.

He’s reminding me now that the perfect part we do have is His Spirit in us, lavishing us with new grace and mercies every morning, washing away our blemishes and broken places and making us white as snow with every sunrise. So even when the broken doesn’t go away, we have Perfect Love in us.

And every word He gives us about what’s broken comes with a promise. A promise of perfection, hope and the right kind of love.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b (NIV)

The thing is…
It’s been done. Perfect love came to earth and got broken. We broke it. We broke him. And then perfect, broken love said, “It is finished.” John 19:30 (NIV) And promised, “…I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 15:23b (NIV)

So, there you have it.
Squinchy? Swirly? Squirmy?
It’s not going anywhere in me for a while.

Homesick for His Kingdom.
My Home.
Where there are no bends or bruises in love.
Where no one’s sick. No one’s hurt. There’s always enough for everyone. 
Where everyone belongs in the Perfect Family.

But the squinchy, swirly and squirmy is being met with a promise of peace, joy and perfect love.

In 2011, Jesus has a lot to say about love.
Love that strips away expectations, criteria and loves through the broken.

Jesus, write a new definition of love for me in 2011.

What’s Jesus saying about love in your 2011?
He’s a Family Man. He’s probably saying the same thing to us all. Let’s do it together.

My bendy, broken self loves you. And I’m giving thanks for the ways you've been love in my life in 2010 - in every shape and form it came in. I can’t wait to do 2011 with you.

Happy New Year!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas Stories

I love stories.

I love this time of year when we get to tell, hear and share the story of a baby who came into the world and changed everything.

I love being here, in Texas, as so many parts and people in my stories are coming together and showing me over and over again how faithful God is in His big story.

God sent me to Africa to be a voice for families. And here in Texas, I'm reminded with countless hugs, kisses, dance parties, and those priceless "I know you" moments that the reason He chose me for that is because I've been taught family so well. He taught me through my people.


LONG awaited playtime with Ella and Mia!
And an equally long-awaited kiss from my Mona.


Cathy Brown on the drums, everyone.
You have become a part of my story - one that means so much to me and one that I feel so deeply with every interaction. Thank you for choosing to expand the Family of God. Thank you for knowing the details of my part of the story that happens in South Africa.


My stories coming together. Rich and Lynn from Africa with me, Galveston and my church. 


One of the most precious and treasured parts of my story is turning three this month. His name is Lifa. Most of you have heard ALL about him. Over and over again. He's such a big part of my story and part of God's story for His Kingdom.



I've seen visiting missionaries from around the world hold Lifa and experience God's love or remember something Jesus once said about the least of these. (Matt 25) 


I've seen his community, Mbonisweni, respond to the way Lifa's learned how to be loved and feel secure in the consistency of our relationship. 


I've seen our church in Mbonisweni be awakened by seeing the actively flowing power and strength of families choosing to love one another despite reason or cultural differences - and wanting to be a part of something bigger than themselves because of it.

I've experienced more transformation and love than I realized from my relationship with that little boy, until I got to the States and shared our story and our moments.


And now I'm inviting you into our story in another way to pray with us.

I called the family Lifa stays with in Mbonisweni to check on him and they told me his dad had come to pick him up. He has a once-a-month drop-in dad. He works far from where Lifa stays, and will pop in for very short increments of time randomly.

Lifa's granny is sick and wanted to see him. So they picked him up. And we don't know if or when he's coming back.

In South Africa, cell phone airtime is very expensive, so it's uncommon to call and keep up with the whereabouts of a child who's with another parent. You just wait until they come back.

I've called his dad a few times, even conferenced call with the help of my brother Lennon to help translate, but we've had no luck.

My heart is hurting. It's the unknown part.

Lennon told me he thinks Lifa's father is working, and Lifa will be staying with a new girlfriend. I'm Lifa's primary attachment. And I left. Now he's with a new family in a new environment.

And December in South Africa can be a dangerous month. Children are on holiday and it's a free-for-all month. Christmas isn't a holy and revered holiday there, it's an excuse for a nonstop party, holding nothing back.


I have no idea what kind of environment Lifa is in right now. 

And so many other children in South African this month. Without school, there are more hungry mouths. And in December, more money is being spent on parties.

As we gather together around platters of holiday food, let's remember to pray for children who aren't getting their one guaranteed meal from school this month.

As we celebrate the warm and fuzzy feelings of families coming together and Christmas cheer, let's take a moment to feel for the least of these, whose families are celebrating dangerously rather than joyfully.

As we remember the Son of Man coming from His perfect Heavenly throne, born to a single mom in a barn, so that He could feel all the brokenness and bring light and redemption to it, let's trust in and cling to the hope and the light that shines like that bright star in every broken family and broken situation - like Lifa's right now. 






'Tis the season for real celebration - for the manger and the Man who felt it all so we wouldn't have to do this alone. Because I couldn't do this alone. 

Look for the blessings, the promises, the hope and the provision you're surrounded with the Christmas season and celebrate them enough for those who haven't been taught or haven't experienced the real reason for the season yet.


Happy Holidays! I love you! 
Thank you for praying with me!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Persons, places and things... Oh My!

I'm Here! I'm Here!



I've been back in the States for a week now, spending time in California with my mom and friends from the two years I spent in LA while studying at Fuller Theological Seminary. It's been a perfect transition place before heading back to Texas... TOMORROW! (see pics below!)

I've hopped around from place to place and person to person since my arrival, surprised every time at the waves and degrees of feeling known that have washed over me in moments, memories, hugs and conversations. God truly has given me family so many times and in so many ways.

God truly has pieced my story together perfectly. 
Incredibly. Beautifully. Lovingly. Extravagantly.
And I want to be a part of His story in that same way. 
Incredibly. Beautifully. Lovingly. Extravagantly. 

Through visiting parts of my story, He spoke to parts of me I didn't even realize I needed to connect with. He inspired me and reminded me of the intricate ways He fashioned me.

For the next two months, I'll be revisiting the people and places that shaped my story. that encouraged, inspired and spoke into who I am. The adjectives, nouns and conjunctions of Christ's story in me.

My people and my moments matter so much to Him and to me. He's given me an undeserved favor in connecting my worlds and showing me how well and how deeply He knows me, even when I've tried to run in opposite directions.

My everyday nouns - my people, places and things - are on the other side of the world, in South Africa.

My daily life looks a lot different from everyone else's here, in America.

But it's all part of the same story. 

The Bible is a book of stories that all tell one big story: One of grace, salvation, adoption and love.

Jesus walked around with his friends telling stories with the same moral: We belong in the Kingdom of God, and it's worth all it costs.

My head and my heart are still swimming with jet lag, San Diego sand, woo woo coffee, the right side of the road and all of the people and places that have made a profound impact in my story - just in California alone!

But today I am clinging to my anchor and the deep-down understanding that we were all created to be His most delighting and perfectly-chosen nouns, adjectives and conjunctions into the Greatest Love Story. 

I am overwhelmed and confident in the belief that I've been given such a gift and unique opportunity...

It's conjunction time, people!

I want to tell YOU all about my nouns. YOU who have shaped, inspired me and YOU who will.

We've all been invited into the same Big Story. The same family.
All of us. All around the world. It's time to connect the dots... to connect the parts of His story and get the whole family around the dinner table together.

I want to be a conjunction for the nouns in South Africa who've become my family to those of you who taught and are teaching me family in the States. I'm amazed at how well you do family already, and can't wait to see it happen around the world, all together.

I'm celebrating all the parts of my story coming together for the next two months. And awaiting the day we all come together for the biggest, Most Glorious Story.

Your Kingdom Come, Lord... 

The parentheses: 
(To work out details on story-swapping, hugging or joining in this story through becoming part of my support team, please email me at kacychaffin@gmail.com. I CAN'T WAIT!)


A few of the memories and moments I've experienced this week....


Rosa! I'm home! Gimme a kiss!
My first new friend turned out to be a South African pastor coming to visit Fuller! He gave the best hug ever.
What else would you do when you've been on a plane for two days?

Reunited with Lily!
Santa Monica Ferris Wheel - I've missed this beautiful scenery!

Back at Fuller. The view of campus from the library with Drea. 

Local coffee shops. My personal little piece of heaven.


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Honneeyyyy, I'm....

...sitting on the floor in the Joburg airport. 

I'm READY!



We won't talk about saying goodbye to Lifa, my Mbonisweni family or my Ten Thousand Homes family on base right now.

Let's talk about Ricky Ricardo... k?

He's famous for it....
"Honeeyyyy, I'm hoooomme....."

It wasn't the comfy couch, the kitchen table or that twin bed next to Lucy's he was so happy to come home to at the end of the day. It was Lucy. His person. His family.

I'm feeling a thousand different emotions in the comings, goings, reflections, celebrations, and hugs.

I'm remembering a prayer I prayed desperately 6 months ago when I decided to join staff at Ten Thousand Homes: "Lord, please give me something to miss when I go visit the States for Christmas. Please make me feel home in South Africa, at least a little. I don't know if I can do this."

How faithful my God is! 

I had a perfect week of thankfulness, family and goodbyes. The Thanksgiving Splits from my last post... still going strong. Maybe even stronger.

I feel like I have Lucy's all over the world.

My definition of home has nothing to do with an address. It has everything to do with family, being known and being loved so well by you.

I'm thrilled to come home to you! Only 36 hours away from hugging my mom for the first time in a year!

I will be with my mom in California December 1st - 9th.
Then I'm flying to Texas for the rest of the holidays! I will be there December 9th - February 7th.
Please pray for me as I do the splits on another hemisphere, adjust back to American culture, miss my Lifa terribly and share stories I believe I was created to share to extend the Family of God.
I would also like your prayers as I build a support team to join me prayerfully and financially with my work with families and orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at kacychaffin@gmail.com. I'd love to share what's on my heart!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for always praying with me and for loving me so well. I can't wait to see you!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Thanksgiving Splits

We’ve all done some house hopping on holidays.

Turkey with one side of the family. Pie with the other. It’s about connecting to and celebrating with people we love, even if it means more than one stop.

I felt like I did the splits this year, the ultimate Thanksgiving – stretched to feel home and thankfulness across the world.

I woke up homesick for my family, making No Bake Cookies with Carli, laughing about the same stuff we always laugh about, diving through the Black Friday ads to make a game plan just for the sake of tradition and being with the people I’ve spent every Thanksgiving with – and that I haven’t seen in almost a year.

And the kitchen here on base smelled like…. Well, I’m pretty sure it smelled like what heaven smells like. It smelled like Thanksgiving.

The same smells. A new place. A new family.

Between mashing potatoes and packing my suitcase, I went to my last feeding in Dwaleni for over two months.

I arrived to a carthweeling party! I love cartwheels!


Then my girls and I snuck away into the house we host the feeding out of. They wanted to show me the dramas they’d been practicing.

They performed. We hugged. We exchanged handfuls of letters. We talked Jesus. I was amazed.

Their passion to share Jesus – and to share their message well - astounded me. The personal letters they had poured tons of time and creativity into floored me. The hugs finished me off. I could feel thankfulness pulsing all the way through me. It really was Thanksgiving, even if Busi, Nolwazi, Florence and Noxolo had never heard of the holiday. They were part of it in me.

With the same potency I felt the thankful part, I felt how much I was going to miss them welling up like suppressed sobs in me.

Am I really leaving?
How do I hold all of these feelings at once?




Then… of course, we had to stop in Mbonisweni to pick up Lifa. It’s a family holiday!

One of the 13 year-old twins, Samkelo, proposed to me with a fabulous adjustable ring upon arrival. Lifa and GoGo’s eyes lit up. The love and the thankfulness began flowing through me again, like a tidal wave. And washing up a few whimpers of, “I’m gonna miss this…”

A new kind of Thanksgiving. A summertime Thanksgiving with red dirt, roasted chicken, tiny black hands and a shiny new ring.


Is this really my all-the-time life?
Are those little hands my all-the-time?
Is this my Thanksgiving?

Back at base, the traditional Thanksgiving celebration was perfect. Candlelit dinner. (Who really needs electricity on holidays?) Cartwheels after dinner. (I love cartwheels!) And don’t forget the dancing to whip the cream. And Lifa.



I sat at the table with the people who’ve become my everyday family. I stole glances at the kid table to make eyes at the little boy who’s absolutely won my heart.


Can I really fit all of this family and love and thankfulness in? I couldn’t tell if it was Carla’s cornbread dressing or overwhelming thankfulness making me feel so full. (Let’s be real… that dressing was AMAZING… it was all of the above.)

After dinner, Mom called and talked to Lifa for the first time. He said, “I love you GoGo Rosa.”

And then my whole Texas family called. I talked to everyone, heard them pray and 2 year-old Ella said, “I love you. How’s Lifa?”

It’s been almost a year. I think I might explode in anticipation over the next two weeks.

How can I want to be with my family so badly and feel like they are home to me, AND feel like this is home… the same amount at the same time?

Two nights later, Lifa is still here with me, playing with blocks and bobbing his head to Shawn McDonald right now. He’s family. He’s home. Um, and I think I’m getting him addicted to chap stick.



Two months apart…

Can I be at home and homesick at the same time?

Absolutely.

That’s the design. The right kind of Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Splits.

Paul got it. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21)

We were made for the very best Home – where it’s Thanksgiving everyday. And where the whole family is together and everyone is getting along. Every tribe and every tongue – celebrating, dancing, cartwheeling, feasting and delighting in perfect communion.

And, until then, we’re supposed to be Homesick.

And, until then, we’re supposed to make those people, places and moments that are home to us look a little more like Home… the Kingdom of God.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10)

“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (2 Cor 5:6-9)

Let’s get cliché. And mean it.
I truly experienced a cornucopia of thanksgiving, homesickness, love and so many things in between this Thanksgiving. Geography was just one of the details. A deep-down prayer for Home, continuously being responded to was the core. And that dressing… that had something to do with it too!

I have no idea how I’m going to handle myself for the upcoming 2 months I’ll be in the States. I can’t wait to see and hug everyone I’ve missed for a year and to share stories and experiences. I can’t wait to spread God’s heart for His Kingdom and for Africa to everyone I can get to listen.

Meanwhile, Lifa’s singing in SiSwati with his blocks on the floor of my cottage right now. And it’s perfect.

Bear with me people, I might be a mess. But for all the right reasons. So much love. So much hope. So much longing. And so much home. I truly don’t deserve it. But I want us all to have it. More and more.

Thank you for joining me on the incredible adventure this year has been. Thank you for loving me so well and being home to me.  

Monday, November 22, 2010

well, well, well....

Soundtrack: New Kids on the Block Christmas album (Don't judge... just try to have a Funky, Funky Christmas.)

Disclaimer: There's no Thanksgiving in S Africa and our ministry goes on break for December, so we're going into Christmas mode now!

I know what you're thinking: Don't worry, we are having a Thanksgiving feast on base! Roasted chicken... with all the traditional American Thanksgiving fixin's!

And we're back...
Saturday we are inviting the local volunteers that give hours of their time every week to prepare meals and pour into the children at the 5 weekly feeding programs we participate with. We're inviting volunteers from all three communities to come to be honored with a special meal and first-class treatment.


I've been really feeling God pushing me to do things well for His glory lately. I want to love well and serve well. I want to be intentional about what I'm doing.



Jesus was intentional about everything He did - to the point of dying on a cross for the most redeemingly painful display of loving and serving well. 

So I am praying that we can serve and love the volunteers well. And that I can learn from them - who already love and serve well - how to be more like Jesus. Pray with us that they will feel honored, loved, known and delighted in. Pray that they'll feel recognized for their selflessness and abounding love.

We took some extra steps today in our staff meeting to be creative and to get into the mindset of loving and serving well.

Made from scratch! I'm not gonna lie... I'm thrilled with myself.



Raising money for the Volunteer Christmas Celebration. Using ornaments to make pledges.



Putting the extra time in to set our focus, hearts and tones on living by His standards was so worth it this morning. As the holiday season gets going and our heads are being turned in a bajillion different directions, let's take a moment to refocus ourselves on what the hubbub is all about. A little baby boy who came and did a lot more than google gingerbread recipes and break out the glitter and glue sticks to love well and serve well. It's worth it.

Friday, November 12, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, sort of.

As we welcome summertime in South Africa, there aren't exactly "candy canes and silver lanes a'glow". No snow-flocked trees in sight either. 'Tis the season to enjoy fresh avos, oranges and watch flowers bloom!

Hot or cold, Christmas is coming and we are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. He came as the least of these - a baby born in a manger to unwed parents from the wrong side of the tracks.

Today, the staff at Ten Thousand Homes got together to prepare to celebrate Christmas with the "least of these" - the orphaned and vulnerable children of Kabokweni, Mbonisweni and Dwaleni - that we have the privilege of knowing, loving and serving every week.

We've been collecting donations from visiting teams throughout the year and spent the morning preparing gifts for the 31 volunteers and 400 children we serve at weekly feeding schemes. We cranked up the Christmas carols and dove in to the first big project of the Christmas season!

Painted Gift Bags- handprints courtesy of Zoe
Carla organizing gift bags

Making goodie bags!

It was a surprise jolt into the holiday spirit for me today. There was no Halloween candy, fall leaves or football season to warm me up for the holly jolly right after the pumpkin pie. But what a way to get into the spirit - painting gift bags to light up the most beautiful faces I've ever encountered and packing up baby dolls for little girls who've never held one before.


I thought of you today - those of you that I'm not with for the exciting November build-up of the holiday season. I'm sure there are red cups at Starbucks, gingerbread- and pumpkin-flavored everything (I'm drooling), Christmas displays in every window and scarves in every shade of fall.

I would like to invite you to start the holiday season with us here at Ten Thousand Homes. This Christmas season, as you have guests over, family gatherings, classroom parties, Sunday School hoorah's, potlucks, business meetings, family dinners, or any other excuse you can think of to get together, get into the reason for the season! This is the perfect time for us to plan for next year's Christmas season so that you can be a part of it.

Ask your local grocery story to donate paper grocery bags and invite everyone to paint gift bags and Christmas cards.




Take up a collection of lightweight (easy to mail) toys, books or dolls. Stock up on beads and have a party to make jewelry. Go shopping for Christmas goodies on clearance the day after Christmas.

True Christmas cheer doesn't come from the shiny bows or the full stockings, but from the way God will shine through your servant-hands and fill your heart as you invite the least of these into your biggest and best holiday parties of the year. Use your creativity, your gifts, your people and your passions to rock out manger style this year... yes, I just said that. Possibilities are endless and everyone can participate!


If you would like more details, feel free to email me at kacychaffin@gmail.com.

You can mail gift bags or collected items to:

Ten Thousand Homes
PO Box 4450
White River, Mpumalanga
South Africa 1240
**Please write "GIFT" on the outside of all packages sent.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.   40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
(From Matthew 25)
 Thank you! I can't wait to hear your stories about celebrating with us!


Monday, November 8, 2010

Dreaming of Dwaleni

Dwaleni is known as a "tough neighborhood". It's Ten Thousand Homes' youngest and largest feeding scheme. I have no statistics and know few stories, but in this community furthest off the tar road, the kids seem to be more hungry and more vulnerable. They long for touch, but sometimes pull away in fear when you reach out. You can see broken stories in their eyes, in the holes in their uniforms and school shoes, and in the need you feel radiating off of their bodies as they cling to you wherever you are going.

In the midst of poverty are some of the most loving and creative minds I've encountered. They are brilliant, beautiful, and I believe doors are opening for relationships, discipleship and Home. This Thursday after the feeding, the children didn't want to go and the volunteers lingered longer than ever. When we finally had to pull away, the children ran after the bakkie waving, shouting and wanting just one more glance from us. I haven't been able to get these faces and this community off my mind since then.

Please pray with us for Hope and Home to manifest and spread to each of these little lives and their big stories.

And just look at how perfect they are...

Friday, November 5, 2010

MmmmmmWUAH!

I LOVE these kids.

I love them so much. I love their faces. Their eyes. Their sweet hearts. The way God loves them intensely through their vulnerability.

And I really really really love their hugs and kisses.

Last Wednesday in Mbonisweni, I realized that I was officially that girl... All I have to do is making the kissy noise... "MmmmmmmWUAH" and I'm surrounded by puckered lips. 

We were made to be loved. To be known. To be the object of His affection and to know that through His people.
I spent the afternoon, with a sleeping Lifa on my shoulder, walking around kissing with my camera. You HAVE to see this.

I can't get enough. Really. I can't.

With lips like these...

Or THESE!?!

At this point their puckered lips were running up to the camera. Of course it was gonna cost them a kiss....

Absolutely gorgeous.

Teensy sweet little lips.

How can you not want THAT?

Lifa was too sleepy to participate. But he didn't really have a choice.

I got him!

Even sassy pants loves the kisses.

Even the big boys! Oh man. Look at them.

My Perfect Twins.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Sweet girl blowing you a kiss goodbye.