Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
YUM
Jennie's here! I cannot tell you how fun it was to finally get to go to the airport and pick her up. We were all so excited!! When we finally saw her, the kids ran through the security gate to see her. They both talked to her 90 miles a minute all the way home. She brought us these
ok... like 6 bags of them! Can I just say, yum!!
My only question is: can we keep her?
ok... like 6 bags of them! Can I just say, yum!!
My only question is: can we keep her?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Karne
School officially finished on Friday the 13th. There was an assembly out in the paved area in front of the school, and then the kids got to go inside for the teacher to present them with their report card and wish them a happy summer. Elementary school teachers move up with their same class each year. So by the time the kids finish 5th grade the class is quite attached to each other and their teacher. A few days ago when I dropped Noah off, the older kids were dressed up really nicely. I asked the principal why, and he told me that their teacher was taking them to a restaurant (a very special treat) to celebrate their graduation to middle school.
Thinking back over this school year I am amazed at all that Noah has accomplished! When we got here he could say two words in the language. (hi and horse) Now he is completely fluent with no accent and reads well! The hardest day I have ever had here was the first day I dropped him off at school. Everyone was watching us and I was fighting back the tears as I felt like I was leaving him for the wolves. His sweet and innocent smile as he happily waved goodbye will be an image I treasure forever. He was so brave.
As the teacher passed out the report cards (karne) everyone would gather around to peek at the child's scores. (People here tend to be nosey.) Noah got to proudly announce that he received "hepsi beş" (all the highest marks). All of the parents know how far he has come and were so proud of him. You can bet I am still beaming!
I tried to snap a lot of pictures so you can see what a typical, albeit poor, classroom looks like, and what the moms and kids look like. Enjoy...
All of the kids lined up listening to the endless assembly in the blazing sun. The girl at the forefront of the picture is named Elif. She lives in our building.
The kids finally got to go into the classroom. There are 42 kids in Noah's class. They sit 2 to a bench at these old-fashioned looking desks.
Mr. Personality. Noah's friend Baran is on the left, and his desk-mate, Irem is on the right.
Noah receiving his report card from his teacher.
Two of the moms comparing their children's report cards.
Moms and children crowded up around their teacher (the one with out a headscarf).
A fully covered, very conservative mother, looking at a child's report card.
Callie posing with Noah's friend Zeynap.
Noah and Baran with their teacher.
Thinking back over this school year I am amazed at all that Noah has accomplished! When we got here he could say two words in the language. (hi and horse) Now he is completely fluent with no accent and reads well! The hardest day I have ever had here was the first day I dropped him off at school. Everyone was watching us and I was fighting back the tears as I felt like I was leaving him for the wolves. His sweet and innocent smile as he happily waved goodbye will be an image I treasure forever. He was so brave.
As the teacher passed out the report cards (karne) everyone would gather around to peek at the child's scores. (People here tend to be nosey.) Noah got to proudly announce that he received "hepsi beş" (all the highest marks). All of the parents know how far he has come and were so proud of him. You can bet I am still beaming!
I tried to snap a lot of pictures so you can see what a typical, albeit poor, classroom looks like, and what the moms and kids look like. Enjoy...
All of the kids lined up listening to the endless assembly in the blazing sun. The girl at the forefront of the picture is named Elif. She lives in our building.
The kids finally got to go into the classroom. There are 42 kids in Noah's class. They sit 2 to a bench at these old-fashioned looking desks.
Mr. Personality. Noah's friend Baran is on the left, and his desk-mate, Irem is on the right.
Noah receiving his report card from his teacher.
Two of the moms comparing their children's report cards.
Moms and children crowded up around their teacher (the one with out a headscarf).
A fully covered, very conservative mother, looking at a child's report card.
Callie posing with Noah's friend Zeynap.
Noah and Baran with their teacher.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dear Lord,
Thank you for putting us in a place where no one else speaks English. I know I complain about it some... ok... a lot... but in moments like these I remember to count my blessings...
Noah: That guy smells!
That kid is bothering me.
Why are they staring at us?
That lady's butt is in my face.
She's mean.
What's that on his face?
I don't like Murat.
I just farted!
Who stinks?
Callie: Why does that man only have one leg?
Look at all those zits. Its gonna hurt when he pops 'em!
School was terrible today!
This food is gross!
This smells horrible. I will not eat it!
Barf!
I am going to call him Tommy-Tom!
What are they even saying?
The list could go on. Thank you, Lord, for this reminder!
Love,
Elizabeth
Thank you for putting us in a place where no one else speaks English. I know I complain about it some... ok... a lot... but in moments like these I remember to count my blessings...
Noah: That guy smells!
That kid is bothering me.
Why are they staring at us?
That lady's butt is in my face.
She's mean.
What's that on his face?
I don't like Murat.
I just farted!
Who stinks?
Callie: Why does that man only have one leg?
Look at all those zits. Its gonna hurt when he pops 'em!
School was terrible today!
This food is gross!
This smells horrible. I will not eat it!
Barf!
I am going to call him Tommy-Tom!
What are they even saying?
The list could go on. Thank you, Lord, for this reminder!
Love,
Elizabeth
Birthdays
Here are the pictures from Noah's birthday that I wrote about here.
Who knows what time he woke up. But, he waited very patiently until 8:00 to open his presents. He was so excited and happy. He got everything that the wanted! Please ignore the Christmas wrapping paper! Sometimes we have to make do with what we've got!
He requested chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I stuck some candles and sparkles in them. It got a little smokey! He loved it!
The sand is dark and fine. So, after it rained, it was almost like mud. The kids loved it. Lucy was a wild child. She kept putting her head in it and laying down rolling all around.
The next night, Justin's birthday, we had some friends over for cake. Noah had a chocolate cake with 7 candles. (Sorry, no pictures.) Justin's "cake" was a pile of Tish Delight in the shape of a cake with some candles. He loves the stuff! Noah was more than happy to help Daddy with his candles!
Who knows what time he woke up. But, he waited very patiently until 8:00 to open his presents. He was so excited and happy. He got everything that the wanted! Please ignore the Christmas wrapping paper! Sometimes we have to make do with what we've got!
He requested chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I stuck some candles and sparkles in them. It got a little smokey! He loved it!
The sand is dark and fine. So, after it rained, it was almost like mud. The kids loved it. Lucy was a wild child. She kept putting her head in it and laying down rolling all around.
The next night, Justin's birthday, we had some friends over for cake. Noah had a chocolate cake with 7 candles. (Sorry, no pictures.) Justin's "cake" was a pile of Tish Delight in the shape of a cake with some candles. He loves the stuff! Noah was more than happy to help Daddy with his candles!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
We Won!!
Our national futbol team just won our qualifier and moved onto the next round of the Euro Cup!! Everyone in this city is cheering! Guns are firing celebratory shots. Cars are driving around flying the flag and laying on the horn. It's party time!!! I love living in a futbol fanatic city!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Show me Yours and I'll Show you Mine
It was by a strange turn of events that I found myself in a tattoo parlor today. Even stranger still is that I had the kids with me, and I was there for them. Well... one of them. Callie has been dying to get her ears pierced, so when I saw the place, we bustled in. It is safe to say that the kids nor I look like their normal clientele.
Our family had been at the British Consulate on the other side for their annual fete. Our business had a booth selling our products. So we worked and played. The consulate is a huge beautiful building in the very trendy, very westernized part of town. It is surrounded by huge walls, and it was quite an effort to get in. The security was high and we had to present our passports and consent to being searched. Once you get in, its like entering the secret garden, or another world. There are beautiful English gardens, and lush green grass. Everyone was barefoot in the grass. The children ran and played for hours. They had lots of freedom, which they loved. Noah participated in every race for kids and won them all. Callie found lots of little girls to run around with, and Lucy just wandered around drunk with freedom and exhaustion! I passed the time speaking and reveling in the English language. Oh the joys of understanding!!
Justin's boss (business not ministry) was in town after just finishing up a seven churches and holy places tour lead by Anne Graham Lotz. So at 4:00 Justin headed over to the Ritz-Carlton to have a business meeting with him. (Coincidentally, the only other time my sweet hubby had ever been in a Ritz-Carlton was in downtown Atlanta on this very day 11 years ago- our wedding night!). The meeting was really great and encouraging. Justin's boss is really going to work with him and help him to develop products for export. We are so excited about this opportunity!
Justin's business engagement meant that I was on my own to get the kids and myself back across to the other side and home- using no less than 4 different modes of public transportation! It was my first time to attempt this feat! Having three exhausted children would -no doubt- make it an experience to remember.
After we left the grounds I spotted a tattoo and piercing shop in an alley. I told Callie about it and asked if she wanted to get her ears pierced. She was so excited and really wanted to do, so in we went. As you can imagine every pierced and tattooed head turned to watch us as we entered. Luckily, I am used to this, as it is a normal occurrence for us. I explained what we wanted and asked if they were able to do it. They assured me that they could. That's when Callie began to ask questions. I should have never told her it would hurt a tiny bit for just a second. Because the more questions she asked the more scared she got. Her confidant smile turned into a look of wide-eyed panic. They showed us the ear gun, and the ear rings she could choose from. But in the end her nerves got the best of her. She couldn't do it. She was so upset. She really wanted to get her ears pierced but was too scared! After several tearful exits and entries we made our way down the street. She was heartbroken. Maybe next time!!
She got over it quickly and became downright giddy. The "I'm so tired that if I don't act like a crazy person I may fall asleep" kind of giddy. Lucky for me, it was contagious, so Noah got it too. Everyone always stares at us because we are so different. Today, we gave them good reason. The kids were CRAZY! Laughing and goofing off. I was so embarrassed, but sort of entertained, too. On the final leg of our journey home, the bus, Callie fell asleep standing up! I think we all could have done the same! When we got home, I shoveled some food into their mouths, scrubbed them in the tub, and put them to bed. It was a long, HOT, fun day!
The races!
Lucy playing on the steps.
The consulate... well, all that I could fit into my viewfinder from where I was.
Making Father's Day cards in the Kids Corner.
Noah doing the climbing wall, and being rescued when his harness came undone at the top.
Our family had been at the British Consulate on the other side for their annual fete. Our business had a booth selling our products. So we worked and played. The consulate is a huge beautiful building in the very trendy, very westernized part of town. It is surrounded by huge walls, and it was quite an effort to get in. The security was high and we had to present our passports and consent to being searched. Once you get in, its like entering the secret garden, or another world. There are beautiful English gardens, and lush green grass. Everyone was barefoot in the grass. The children ran and played for hours. They had lots of freedom, which they loved. Noah participated in every race for kids and won them all. Callie found lots of little girls to run around with, and Lucy just wandered around drunk with freedom and exhaustion! I passed the time speaking and reveling in the English language. Oh the joys of understanding!!
Justin's boss (business not ministry) was in town after just finishing up a seven churches and holy places tour lead by Anne Graham Lotz. So at 4:00 Justin headed over to the Ritz-Carlton to have a business meeting with him. (Coincidentally, the only other time my sweet hubby had ever been in a Ritz-Carlton was in downtown Atlanta on this very day 11 years ago- our wedding night!). The meeting was really great and encouraging. Justin's boss is really going to work with him and help him to develop products for export. We are so excited about this opportunity!
Justin's business engagement meant that I was on my own to get the kids and myself back across to the other side and home- using no less than 4 different modes of public transportation! It was my first time to attempt this feat! Having three exhausted children would -no doubt- make it an experience to remember.
After we left the grounds I spotted a tattoo and piercing shop in an alley. I told Callie about it and asked if she wanted to get her ears pierced. She was so excited and really wanted to do, so in we went. As you can imagine every pierced and tattooed head turned to watch us as we entered. Luckily, I am used to this, as it is a normal occurrence for us. I explained what we wanted and asked if they were able to do it. They assured me that they could. That's when Callie began to ask questions. I should have never told her it would hurt a tiny bit for just a second. Because the more questions she asked the more scared she got. Her confidant smile turned into a look of wide-eyed panic. They showed us the ear gun, and the ear rings she could choose from. But in the end her nerves got the best of her. She couldn't do it. She was so upset. She really wanted to get her ears pierced but was too scared! After several tearful exits and entries we made our way down the street. She was heartbroken. Maybe next time!!
She got over it quickly and became downright giddy. The "I'm so tired that if I don't act like a crazy person I may fall asleep" kind of giddy. Lucky for me, it was contagious, so Noah got it too. Everyone always stares at us because we are so different. Today, we gave them good reason. The kids were CRAZY! Laughing and goofing off. I was so embarrassed, but sort of entertained, too. On the final leg of our journey home, the bus, Callie fell asleep standing up! I think we all could have done the same! When we got home, I shoveled some food into their mouths, scrubbed them in the tub, and put them to bed. It was a long, HOT, fun day!
The races!
Lucy playing on the steps.
The consulate... well, all that I could fit into my viewfinder from where I was.
Making Father's Day cards in the Kids Corner.
Noah doing the climbing wall, and being rescued when his harness came undone at the top.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spring Fair
Last weekend we went to the a small, but very fun fair. Our company had a table selling our products, but Justin and I didn't work at it. We just enjoyed ourselves. This fair was held at the church on the other side that is specifically for people in our line of work.
It was especially fun because we ran into some friends that we met at the Spring Conference. Our kids love their kids, and they played all afternoon. It was held in an enclosed garden, so the kids got to run and play freely with their friends. The kids each came home with a grocery sack full of prizes. By far the highlight was getting their faces painted. Check out the amazing job the lady did on the kids' faces!!
It was especially fun because we ran into some friends that we met at the Spring Conference. Our kids love their kids, and they played all afternoon. It was held in an enclosed garden, so the kids got to run and play freely with their friends. The kids each came home with a grocery sack full of prizes. By far the highlight was getting their faces painted. Check out the amazing job the lady did on the kids' faces!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tidbits...
Here are today's tidbits:
Teacher's must turn in their grades by the end of May, but school does not end until mid June. So they do a few fun learning activities, and some classes scramble to finish up their books. But if you are done with your books you don't have to come. If the whole class is done, no one, not even the teacher comes. So on Tuesday, Noah's teacher announced that she was not coming anymore and they shouldn't either. They do have to show up on Friday to pick up their report cards. Now, that's incentive to stay on track!
Lucy is killing me. She longer walks, she charges in the most pompass, Miss Priss fashion you can imagine. If anyone gets near her (that she does not initiate) she turns her nose up and gives them the very cold shoulder. She is a mess. I think all the attention is going to her head!!
Gas prices here are well over 14 lira a gallon!
Jennie comes in less than a week. We are all going to fly down to our Regional Conference next weekend, but we are trying to rent a mini-van and take a road trip back. It will be so fun to see some things off the beaten path! The scary thing is that we haven't driven a car in almost a year!!
This coming weekend the British Consulate is having a fete. We had to get clearance to get in, and will have to bring our identification to get in. I'll let you know what a fete is once I find out! Let's hope its fun! I've heard that the best part about it is just being on the consulate grounds because the grass and English gardens are incredible!! We'll be frolicking barefoot in the grass!!
Teacher's must turn in their grades by the end of May, but school does not end until mid June. So they do a few fun learning activities, and some classes scramble to finish up their books. But if you are done with your books you don't have to come. If the whole class is done, no one, not even the teacher comes. So on Tuesday, Noah's teacher announced that she was not coming anymore and they shouldn't either. They do have to show up on Friday to pick up their report cards. Now, that's incentive to stay on track!
Lucy is killing me. She longer walks, she charges in the most pompass, Miss Priss fashion you can imagine. If anyone gets near her (that she does not initiate) she turns her nose up and gives them the very cold shoulder. She is a mess. I think all the attention is going to her head!!
Gas prices here are well over 14 lira a gallon!
Jennie comes in less than a week. We are all going to fly down to our Regional Conference next weekend, but we are trying to rent a mini-van and take a road trip back. It will be so fun to see some things off the beaten path! The scary thing is that we haven't driven a car in almost a year!!
This coming weekend the British Consulate is having a fete. We had to get clearance to get in, and will have to bring our identification to get in. I'll let you know what a fete is once I find out! Let's hope its fun! I've heard that the best part about it is just being on the consulate grounds because the grass and English gardens are incredible!! We'll be frolicking barefoot in the grass!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
You Might be a Redneck If...
your proudest moment as a mother involves your kids mastery of the mechanical bull.
Some friends took us to a festival last weekend. It had a big inflatable obstacle course (boy do I miss inflatables) that the kids loved! The ran and jumped until their little faces were bright red! Before we left, they were dying to try to ride the mechanical bull- which I was quite surprised to see there (I am glad that we Americans are exporting our best ideas in entertainment- future business idea!). We let them get in line, and helped them jockey for position as lines are very loosely regarded here. When their time came, Noah confidently strode up and did pretty well. He rode for about 4 seconds. Callie timidly mounted the bull, BUT SHE RODE THAT THANG! (You have to express yourself like that when writing about such events). I'm telling you the girl stayed on for all 8 seconds!! The bull came to a stop and everyone stared in amazement, and then started clapping! I am not afraid to admit to you that my heart swelled with pride as I clapped and hollered for my girl. I can promise you that ever since I was a young (cow)girl with an imaginary ranch in the back yard, married to David Hasslehoff, and a Cabbage Patch doll in a makeshift saddle tied to my poor dog's back, I have dreamed of a similar moment. It was beautiful. Time stood still and the grin on that girl's face couldn't be wiped away! No one else rode the bull for the full 8 seconds- not even Noah. A fact that she brought up throughout the rest of the day!
Some friends took us to a festival last weekend. It had a big inflatable obstacle course (boy do I miss inflatables) that the kids loved! The ran and jumped until their little faces were bright red! Before we left, they were dying to try to ride the mechanical bull- which I was quite surprised to see there (I am glad that we Americans are exporting our best ideas in entertainment- future business idea!). We let them get in line, and helped them jockey for position as lines are very loosely regarded here. When their time came, Noah confidently strode up and did pretty well. He rode for about 4 seconds. Callie timidly mounted the bull, BUT SHE RODE THAT THANG! (You have to express yourself like that when writing about such events). I'm telling you the girl stayed on for all 8 seconds!! The bull came to a stop and everyone stared in amazement, and then started clapping! I am not afraid to admit to you that my heart swelled with pride as I clapped and hollered for my girl. I can promise you that ever since I was a young (cow)girl with an imaginary ranch in the back yard, married to David Hasslehoff, and a Cabbage Patch doll in a makeshift saddle tied to my poor dog's back, I have dreamed of a similar moment. It was beautiful. Time stood still and the grin on that girl's face couldn't be wiped away! No one else rode the bull for the full 8 seconds- not even Noah. A fact that she brought up throughout the rest of the day!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Seven
This little hunk of boy is seven!
The time has flown. Sometimes I miss my baby, but to be honest, this is a really great age. He is still enough of a little boy to snuggle and not be embarrassed to kiss his momma goodbye; yet he can do things for himself, too. I love how much Noah is learning and growing. He is really into the Chronicles of Narnia right now. Justin is reading Prince Caspian with the kids. The other day, Noah came home with a book that he had made- completely in Tish- that summarised the plot this far. He even did a cover that was just like the real book's cover. We were shocked and amazed that he had followed the details of the story that well, was able to articulate them in Tish, and wanted to write it all out! His character is growing, too. He apologizes sometimes without being prompted. He takes initiative to help and do his chores. He is is sensitive to others. He is self confidant and out-going. He is every one's friend and a natural leader. He plays so well independently- imagining elaborate games, battles, etc. He is a great kid! I am looking forward to seven- this just keeps getting better and better!
The time has flown. Sometimes I miss my baby, but to be honest, this is a really great age. He is still enough of a little boy to snuggle and not be embarrassed to kiss his momma goodbye; yet he can do things for himself, too. I love how much Noah is learning and growing. He is really into the Chronicles of Narnia right now. Justin is reading Prince Caspian with the kids. The other day, Noah came home with a book that he had made- completely in Tish- that summarised the plot this far. He even did a cover that was just like the real book's cover. We were shocked and amazed that he had followed the details of the story that well, was able to articulate them in Tish, and wanted to write it all out! His character is growing, too. He apologizes sometimes without being prompted. He takes initiative to help and do his chores. He is is sensitive to others. He is self confidant and out-going. He is every one's friend and a natural leader. He plays so well independently- imagining elaborate games, battles, etc. He is a great kid! I am looking forward to seven- this just keeps getting better and better!
Callie's Debut
Callie's preschool had the cutest art show. They filled an entire classroom top to bottom (and a lot of floor space, too) and an outdoor tent with the most creative projects. It was so fun to be escorted by Callie and her teacher through all of the wonderful things she has done. Making projects is her absolute favorite thing to do. The first thing she does when she wakes up each morning is go to my desk and begin drawing and writing.
The artist posing outside our apartment building.
The artist posing with some of her work.
Out in the little garden are of her preschool.
In the project tent!
Some of the things that I thought were especially cute were the entire kitchen made out of cardboard boxes and tin foil. It was so detailed- complete with kitchen tools hanging above the stove on a tool rack! They also had a cute little paper where the kids answered questions. Callie said she was scared of fire, and that her wish was to ride in a car (mine, too!). Out in the flower bed of the garden they had placed bunny rabbits made by stuffing white grocery sacks and forming them into the body. They tied the handles and used them for ears, and decorated the face. Hard to explain but, very cute and imaginative (and inexpensive!).
The artist posing outside our apartment building.
The artist posing with some of her work.
Out in the little garden are of her preschool.
In the project tent!
Some of the things that I thought were especially cute were the entire kitchen made out of cardboard boxes and tin foil. It was so detailed- complete with kitchen tools hanging above the stove on a tool rack! They also had a cute little paper where the kids answered questions. Callie said she was scared of fire, and that her wish was to ride in a car (mine, too!). Out in the flower bed of the garden they had placed bunny rabbits made by stuffing white grocery sacks and forming them into the body. They tied the handles and used them for ears, and decorated the face. Hard to explain but, very cute and imaginative (and inexpensive!).
Monday, June 9, 2008
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