My Birthday

Here's a picture of me with my sweet babies on my birthday. It was two months ago, so I guess its about time I acknowledged the passing on of my youth. UGH! I miss my twenties!!

The Lord gave me a present on my birthday. The day before, we were at a big grocery store, and for the first time since we've been here we found steaks!!! Not just any old steak- T-bones. OH MY HECK!! You better believe that we bought two of those puppies! I love steak. It is probably my favorite food (well... favorite one that does not contain chocolate or cheese). We decided that twice baked potatoes and salad would be the perfect side dishes. The two were enough to feed our family, and there was even a tad left over for a yummy sandwich the next day! We have never before or after found steak anywhere! Thank you, Lord, for this little thing just for me! It made my birthday great!

Oh... and my cake! I insisted on making my own cake. I used a chocolate cake mix that my mom sent. I doctored it up and bit. Then for the frosting, I used two of the incredible awesome dark chocolate bars from Nestle and made a ganache to pour in between the layers and over the whole thing. Again, OH MY HECK. It was delightful!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

I just sent the kids across the street to get something from the market for me. They came back with Cheetos (yes they have them here, but they are puffy and taste like Funyuns), Ruffles (again, not the same), and ice cream. Thanks kids!

Hmmmm.....

I wonder how much UPS would charge to send 3 small humans to Gamma?

Ok.... so I may or may not have just stapled my daughter's diaper on. I promise that no children were injured in the process. (Although, if the diaper does not stay on after this drastic measure a certain little girl may be punted.) In fact, in the alleged event, I even had the foresight to turn the pointy part of the staple out so that they wouldn't hurt her skin. The added bonus is that they poke her little fingers when she tries to take off her diaper.

I know these are extreme measures, but the child refuses to keep a diaper on and refuses to sit on the potty. Not to mention the fact that I am no where close to being mentally prepared for the trauma that is potty training.

Please don't tell the authorities! Oh wait.... ha, ha, ha, the authorities here could care less!!!


*****Edited to add: The diaper did not come off again!!!

Rain, Rain Come Today!

So, we are having 24 hour water cuts due to the lack of water in the city's reservoirs. It is for a much longer time than we are used to, but at least this time we got prior notice!! So, last night we made sure to do a load of laundry, give everyone baths, and get the dishes all washed up. We have plenty of drinking water, I thought things were fine. Until at about 11:55 last night I realized that we don't have any water stored up from the tap to flush the toilet!!!!! 5 people with 1 NON-flushing toilet might get a little icky! So we jumped up to find and fill every bucket in the house! We have 3 full buckets in the tub. We'll see if that's enough!!

Today's BIt 'O Randomness

In the new language we are learning "up" sounds like the English word for down and "down" sounds like the English word for up!

They use the 24 hour clock (military time) but give time by the 12 hour clock. On top of that they never give the exact time (or change, for that matter). They ALWAYS round to the nearest five. So, 19:43 would be quarter to 8. Therefore, not only do I have to try to figure our the time in another language, it also requires a bit of quick math. Poor innocent victims! When they ask me the time it takes me about 5 minutes to answer!!!

Seasons start on the 1st, not the 21st. So, September 1st is the first day of fall. Hopefully it will bring some cooler weather!!!

Our new language uses LOTS of h, u, and y. I never noticed in English that we hardly pronounce these letters. It has been tricky to force my tongue to make these sounds!

The local law forbids you to shake out your carpets on any day other than Monday.

They are rebuilding our junky sidewalks. And as much as I complain about the heat, I try to think about these guys. They are out there with shovels and pick axes- in long pants and long sleeves- with NO work gloves, NO helpful machinery, and usually only wearing sandals!! They have it rough!!

Ramadan starts on September 1st!

Callie calls all things familiar or American "English" and other things "T-ish." For instance, she says, "Mom, we really like this English peanut butter (thank you Emily and Mindy!!!!!!) don't we?"

Sweet Slumber

Pictures from the Early Days

This is the very first picture we took in this country. Justin took it of me holding Lucy on our co-workers balcony. We lived with them for the first three weeks we were here.



Some sweet coworkers took us out of the city for a picnic our first weekend. They knew just what we needed- a break from the culture, from acquiring massive amounts of stuff, from shopping and searching, and trying to understand. It was a much needed respite!




Callie posing in our new bathroom.



Noah posing on our balcony. This is where I keep my laundry rack and hang our clothes out.



The view from our front window.



Noah's first friend. Those early days were so tough. The kids couldn't communicate and were so frustrated. This nice boy, who lives in our co-workers' building, was patient with Noah's inability to communicate. They played together in the street for three solid weeks.



Callie trying to figure out the game the kids were playing so she could play too.



Noah sure did look handsome and was so excited about his new school uniform. Uniforms are the best thing ever!! He is posing with all his new duds on at our co-workers house.



We moved to our flat on Noah's first day of school even though the work man was not done with it. It was a mess. Dust, construction supplies, etc everywhere. Lucy was crawling and into everything. It was a very hard few weeks. We basically lived out of one room and kept the door shut so Lucy could not escape.

The absolute hardest day here was Noah's first day of school. EVERYONE was staring at us- shocked to see foreigners. Noah was so excited and hopeful. His sweet face in this picture says it all. He was a champ through it all. I just felt certain that I was leaving my baby to the wolves! Everyone was watching us, and I was trying so hard not to cry. It was the worst!!! But Noah's attitude was a gift straight from God!!! He loved school. He'd come home and we'd ask him if he understood anything. "Nope, not one thing!!" He'd say with the best attitude. If he had struggled those early days, I think we would have gone insane! Now, he's fluent and a natural leader. He didn't just endure the hard times he soared through them!!



When we first went to the park near our flat the kids would just sort of sit around because they couldn't join in with the other kids. Noah would beg me to ask the kids if he could play soccer with them. But, I didn't know how, either. So, I'd do my best with hand gestures and the "Momma Look"- like "if you don't let my kid play I'll hurt ya!!"



Callie started preschool. There was only one other little girl in her class. They bonded quickly. Callie's teacher loved to do crafts and projects. Callie ate it up! Also, her teacher would paint their faces, do the girls' hair, and even put makeup on them. It was truly paradise for Callie. Again, a miracle from the Lord!



This is how we ate for weeks! We didn't have any furniture except for beds! The funny thing is that we also didn't have any curtains (except in the bedrooms), so all of our neighbors watched us. It felt like we were the new entertainment for our apartment complex!!



When our flat was finally finished we had to scrub like crazy!



Lucy helped Daddy put together a few pieces of furniture from IKEA. Big help! I think she's chewing on the screwdriver!!



School opens and closes with an assembly. So every Monday morning and Friday afternoon the kids line up for announcements, sing the national anthem, and say a chant about how to conduct themselves.



The kids stuck together during those early days. They liked being around Lucy because she got so much attention. They kept each other sane then! They were their only English speaking playmates!



I learned to do my shopping in this weekly market.





Lucy's great disposition opened a lot of doors for us. She was always happy, always smiling, and would go to anyone! She got LOTS of attention!


She celebrated her first birthday here- away from friends and extended family.



And slowly... we have settled into life here. Learning and playing- things are becoming normal!





And, despite all of the odds they've overcome, these kids are so happy. They've adapted, even thrived. They speak both languages well. They relate well socially, and are doing just great!! We can truly say that the Lord's hand has been on us. HE IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!

365 Days

Exactly one year ago we got off the plane to live in this country. I was heartbroken but excited. Throughout the entire two year process I kept waiting for something to stop us. I was quite sure that Jesus was going to come back, our new country was going to close to foreigners, or our company to say "no, you're not what what we're looking for." It never happened. We prayed and walked through each step, asking God to stop us if we took a mis-step.

So, I got on the plane KNOWING this was God's will for our family and at the same time expecting (needing) Him to show up in a big way. It was the scariest thing I have even thought about doing.

I think I must have been in shock those early weeks, running on adrenaline. The whole thing was so overwhelming. Looking back I don't see how we survived. Finding a flat, having work done, and setting up home from scratch- ridiculous!!! We must have been insane, or trusting God. Sometimes I think the two are quite similar! At least they feel that way!!

So, today, we are celebrating ONE YEAR. I simply cannot believe that we have lived in a foreign country for an entire year! Lucy has spent more of her life here than in America!

It has been one year since I have hugged my mom, one year since I've eaten sausage, one year since my kids have seen their grandparents, one year since I've been in a church service, one year since I've felt completely cool, calm and collected, one year since talking to someone was easy, one year since I flipped through the channels trying to choose what to watch, one year since I've driven a car, one year since I've been to Wal-Mart, one year since our clothes have been put in a dryer, one year since I wore shorts outside, one year since I could go where I wanted when I wanted and say what I wanted, one year since we felt financially stable, one year since the kids could go play out in the back yard, one year since we understood the culture, one year since we took this crazy leap for God.

In this year we have struggled with who we are and why we do things the way we do. We have started over in every since of the phrase. We used to joke about "becoming babies." It was a humorous thought until it was a reality. Not even being able to help Noah with his homework or ask where the bathroom is was not fun. Not understanding why people were doing what they were doing or what what expected of us was just the beginning of the extensive culture stress that we experienced. But after a year into this, we are beginning to feel more comfortable. We've got the city buses figured out and can speak decently. Life is beginning to feel closer to normal. We have an inkling of an idea of what to expect and how to act and what the culture dictates.

But, most of all, in this year of highs and very lows we have KNOWN that this is exactly where the Lord has called us to be. He has met us and provided for us in every way. He is good and faithful, even when following Him isn't easy or fun. God's first and best does not mean the easiest way. But, we trust that it is the best way. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. We can say it with firm faith because we have lived it. God is good to use us even though He could just as easily speak through a donkey. God is good to put us in a place with sweet neighbors who help us along and forgive our cultural mistakes. God is good to help our children be so flexible and learn so quickly. God is good to put us on a team with people we like. God is good to keep us safe and healthy. God is good to comfort our families in our absence. God is good to show us that there is more to life than carpool, Target, and Chic-fil-A. God is good to give us a purpose, a future, and hope. God is good to love us and redeem us, to meet us, and save us. Yes, we can truly say that God has overwhelmed us with His goodness. So, yes, at times this year has felt like torture, but we wouldn't trade it for anything. Because we have been in the palm of the Father. He has carried us and drawn us in. HE IS TRULY GOOD!

Guess Who LOVES makeup...

Even though I washed her face as best as I could, people all day kept asking me if she had been crying and telling me her eyes were red! I didn't think it was quite as charming when she did the same thing with my mascara yesterday. She is such a girly- girl! She begs for makeup and jewelry all the time!

Good Question

I have this Libyan friend from my language class, and lately we have had some really good discussions. I was asking him why he thinks people kill in the name of religion. It seems very contradictory to me. But, we shouldn't kid ourselves, people from all religions have been doing it since Old Testament times.

So, he goes on to explain a bit of the history (from his perspective) of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Basically coming to the point that extreme-ist Muslims believe that they have the right to avenge the blood of their families and even countrymen in light of injustice. To which I replied, who are we to judge injustice?

So, he turned the question on me. Asking, when I think it is right to kill. Of course, I gave the pat answer that it's never ok, but as we dialogued, I began to think. First off, I support our troops and have family members who have served our country in the military. Aren't they being trained up to kill whoever may come against us. My friend also raised scenarios like if my home was invaded, my family was attacked, etc. To these questions it was not as easy to give the "turn the other cheek" answer. I conceded the point, but the question remains on my mind.

So, I'd like to hear from you.... When do YOU think it is ok to kill?

Remember my ramblings (...er.... complaining) about the heat? Please forgive me. That was nothing. NOW. IT. IS. HOT!!! It's don't wear pants because you don't want sweat moons on your butt, take a cold shower at night right before you crawl into bed and pray that you fall asleep before the cool wears off, kind of hot. Oh, Lord, how many days till fall, and is there such a thing as a full body antiperspirant?

When Gamma asked Noah if people were calling him "snaggle-tooth" he said, "No, Gamma, they don't speak English here!"

Snaggle-Tooth

Well... Noah lost his top front tooth tonight. He is officially a snaggle-tooth, and I am officially sad. I want my baby back!!!

Olympics

As previously stated, I LOVE the Olympics! Noah and I had to be pried off the couch today because we were in an Olympic coma! Its addicting!

Anyhow, the only bad thing about watching the Olympics in a foreign country is that they don't love the same sports Americans do. So the games that get the most airtime are not gymnastics, track and field, swimming, and whatever else we are good at, with snippets of the rest of the events, its lots of weight-lifting, volleyball, and lots of wrestling with snippets of the the rest of the games. I guess the Olympics aren't "The America Show" after all!

Tatil

A tatil is a vacation or holiday as the Brits would say. Lots of our friends are leaving this month for their tatils. It seems like EVERYONE except Americans and maybe the Japanese takes nice long relaxing vacations- for the minimum of two weeks!! Can you imagine, two weeks?!?!? They go off, who knows where, with no cell phones, lap tops, or contact numbers, and they just relax. REST. BE.

What's our deal? What's so important that we can't go away together and actually enjoy ourselves? I'm sure everyone's excuse is money. But... really, with some planning and creativity you could plan a nice long, inexpensive vacation. Or, and I know this is a crazy thought, put money away weekly for such a trip. Other people all around the world do it. They aren't rich. In fact, a lot of them are a heck of a lot poorer than we are and they take two or three long vacations.

I'm in!

Its fun to Laugh at my Pain

So, I'm on the bus the other day. Its hotter than you know where! I actually had a seat, and I was sort of dozing off (or maybe passing out from heat exhaustion). Well, I was doing the embarrassing head bob thing when SMACK! My head bobbed back against the window and broke the clip in my hair with a loud POP! I opened my eyes and everyone was staring at me. FUN TIMES!!

The Olympics

I love the Olympics. I don't know why, but I do. The competition, the gathering of nations, the amazing stories behind the athletes... I love it all! I always get a little teary when the athletes begin to parade in. Their excitement is so fun to watch, and the costumes are beautiful! I think it is a tiny taste of what it will be like when Jesus comes back for us! Every tongue, tribe, and nation will get to march into the Lord's presence. The glory on that day will outshine any thing we can imagine!!

This is the 3rd country in which I have been privileged to watch the opening ceremonies. I watched the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics with a family in Peru. It was so fun to cheer our hearts out as the tiny delegation from Peru proudly entered the stadium. A week later I returned to Georgia. Every night Justin and I would drive into Atlanta to be part of the Olympic experience. The streets were closed off and there were people everywhere. It was so fun- like a huge, multicultural block party!

Our friends John and Lauren invited us to go to the gold medal men's soccer match. Again- AMAZING! I don't think the fans sat down for one second during the entire match. They were jumping up and down for two hours!! I was worried that the stadium was going to come down!! That's where I learned the true meaning of the word fan!

So... hooray!!! The Olympics are here! If you're looking for me, I'll be on my couch watching the world compete!!

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

Noah's top front tooth is barely hanging on, and I am begging him to leave it in forever! To me this symbolizes another huge step away from childhood and into those awkward years that end when you're 25... if you're lucky.
It takes those little heads a long tome to grow into those big 'ole teeth. And by that time the hormones have kicked in. I think we can all agree it is not a pretty time! I am quite positive that hormones are the Devil's puppet strings for us!









I am mourning the growing up of my kids. I always felt
like I was born to be a mother and these kids hardly seem to need one of those anymore! Heck... Callie tells Lucy what she (Lucy) wants and then gets it for her. The poor child never gets to speak a word. She probably won't communicate with us until we've shipped Callie off to college!! And by that time there will certainly be more than a little frustration brought on by Callie's mothering skills! So, I've been replaced by a bossy (albeit adorable) 5 year old. Lovely!
























So why do I simultaneously long for more freedom, yet mourn my children's growing independence? Is that the catch 22 of motherhood. You'd rather crawl in a cave and hibernate for a few years, but by the time you unpack you stuff and place it nicely on the cave shelves, you're already missing the kids!!













What is the answer? Should I just keep having babies until I have grandchildren or go insane?!?!






























Oh, by the way, if you see a sweet precious baby, who thinks he's a little boy (maybe even a big one), please say, "Noah, stop growing up! It's killing your mother!!"