The Ill Fated Birthday

After hearing Noah make amazing plans for his birthday for months, it was finally time to sit down and bring him back to earth. After much discussion he decided that he wanted to go back up to the beach on the north end of our city.

Who knows what time he woke up this morning. But he could not open his presents until 8:00. He was dressed and ready for the day, watching the clock like a hawk. At 8:00 he tore in! He got a lot of great things- everything he wanted!! A soccer jersey, a basketball, 2 DS games, a Turkoglu basketball jersey, transformers, movies, books, cards, clothes, a solar powered car, and more! The boy is well loved!! He was so happy.

He chose chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast, Justin went out to find the one pharmacy in our area (they rotate evening hours and Sundays, so we never know which one is "on call") to get some more ear plugs for Callie. While Dad was out on a wild goose chase we got ready for the beach. Justin never found the pharmacy- everyone he talked to pointed him somewhere else! By the time he got back, we were a little on the late side. We jumped in a cab headed for the bus station. Normally, cab drivers in our city will have your heart in your throat. Unfortunately, the day we were in a hurry, we got the Sunday driver! So, we missed the bus. The next one left in 45 minutes.

The bus ride that should take 1 hour took almost 2 1/2 hours! Lucy was awake and squirmy the entire time. That is, until we pulled into our final destination (literally). Thank the Lord for Dramamine- Callie and I were feeling fine (if not a little sleepy...). The closer we got to the beach the cloudier it got. By the time we got off the bus the rain drops started! Can you believe it? We live in the dessert- it never rains here, and it has been so stinkin' hot for days! Today- rainy and high 50s!

We hunkered down at a little restaurant on the beach to grab a bite to eat and let the storm pass. After a yummy lunch of Powerade and french fries the rain had stopped. We headed out to the beach. It was cold, windy, and wet. But the kids didn't care one bit! Justin even claims that the water was warmer than the last time we were there. That may be true, but the air was about 30 degrees colder today, so it felt like ice! I didn't even take my pants and t-shirt off.

Noah, Callie, and Daddy braved the frigid water. Lucy is scared of the water, but she loves the sand. She ran around like a crazy child! She'd lay down and roll all around- she looked like a dog that had just been let off its leash for the first time!

After an hour we couldn't handle it anymore. We trudged back up to the city center and window shopped for a little bit while we waited for the bus. The ride home was going fine. But then Lucy barfed all over me. Thank God it happened close to our stop. We yelled for the driver to stop and jumped off the bus. We wrapped her up in one picnic blanket, and me in the other. Boy, what a sight!!!

We chilled out for a second and took a cab the rest of the way home- praying that Lucy wouldn't barf again. We got home every one showered and we threw everything in the washer.

Lucy went to bed and we sat around our tiny kitchen table and ate grilled cheese sandwiches. We reminisced about all the fun things we'd done for their birthdays in the past. When I asked Noah what his favorite birthday was, he said "this one!!" Go figure! Kids really do have a different perspective!

Life's a Beach

A few weeks ago we jumped on the bus and headed to the beach on the northern end of our city. It was an hour and a half long, hot bus ride. Praise the Lord that my mom is a genius. One time I mentioned that Callie had been getting carsick very easily on the bus. So in the next package she sent us some Dramamine. It worked like a charm on Callie. I wish I had taken it. The kids sort of crawled up behind a set of seats, so they got to sit down. Sweet Justin held Lucy, so people sitting on the tire hump scooched over so he could sit down with her. I was fine for awhile, but then things started going black. Justin gave me his spot, and some nice ladies held Lucy for the rest of the trip. Toward the end of the line, as people got off, we each ended up with a seat. On the way back we bought our seats at the beginning of the line. It was a much more comfortable ride home!!

Tomorrow is Noah's birthday. He wants to go back to the beach. So we are going to take an extra bus ride down to the beginning of the line on our side so that we can buy our seats again. It is totally worth it!! Callie and I will both take the Dramamine, too!!

These are the pictures from our last trip. It is the Blk Sea. On that day it was very calm and shallow. Ordinarily, you have to be quite careful when swimming in this sea because the currents are deadly! We don't really even swim as much as we just play in the water, so no worries.



Building a sandcastle.



Lucy ALWAYS charms the Tish men! She sort of plays coy with them. If they give her any attention she'll shy away. Then when they're not paying attention she'll mess with them. She lures them in every time! (Lord, help us when she's a teenager!) This is her building a sandcastle with her latest victim. She does have good taste!!


Here are some scenery pictures. The pictures don't look very pretty, but it really is quite a pretty place!




Here are some random pictures that I found on Google images that show how pretty it really is...




Although, after being stuck in the concrete jungle day in and day out, any open space becomes quite appealing!

Not like you care...

Here are a few things that I am thinking about lately..

I have almost worked up the courage to get my hair cut. I haven't had it cut since we've been here because I have been too scared. But I am finally at the point where I don't care! If it looks bad, I'll just shave it all off! Anything has got to be better than this long 'ole mop!!

I almost have everything in place for me to be able to go to language school. I am so excited! This studying 20 hours a week at home, sometimes with a (not so great) language helper is for the birds!! It thrills me to think that I may get to get out a little bit, and have somewhere I am supposed to be! You'd probably be surprised by how monotonous our lives are. Without a car, it is so hard to do anything with the kids by myself! And, while Noah and Callie are at school, Lucy takes a nap and I study or do chores around the house. Day in and day out. BLAH!!!

We are finally exploring a little more on the weekends. It feels good to have enough language to get around easily. It is also really fun to surprise people with our language. They think we are just regular tourists and don't expect us to speak their language. When they hear the kids, they really love it! Both Noah and Callie have excellent, accent-less, Tish! People are amazed. Callie is shy around adults, and usually won't speak to them (the only time when her mouth shuts!). Noah loves the praise and attention he gets for his wonderful language. So, he'll strike up a conversation with anyone!

We are going to our company's regional conference in two weeks!! I cannot wait for a time of refreshment! Plus, Jennie is coming to help! Woo hoo- mommas going on vacation! I hope Jennie knows what she is getting herself into!!

Justin's language helper, who is a believer, says that the devil roams freely here. I think he is right. This place is shrouded in lies, mistrust, fear, and skepticism. The overall atmosphere is so oppressive! The people are very friendly and hospitable, but, man, they don't trust anyone!!

Noah will be 7 on June 8th, Justin will be 32 on June 9th, and our 11 year wedding anniversary is on June 14th.

Justin's boss from White Harvest Trading Company (our business company, not our min. company) will be in town for a few days next weekend.

Noah's last day of school is June 13th. Usually there is a big celebration for the first graders because they learned to read. But, Noah's school cannot afford to do one this year!

I thought that I was ok with hot weather. But as it turns out, I hate, but tolerate hot weather when everything is air conditioned! Therefore, exposure to said hot weather is extremely limited, and only done by choice when next to a pool. Here, is a different story! No pool in sight, no air conditioner in sight! Do you think they would kick me out of the grocery store if I holed up inside the (1) frozen food case?


That's all the randomness for now!!

Blessing

I took some baby clothes downstairs to a neighbor's friend. While there, they invited me to another neighbors for a baby blessing at 1:00 today. Of course I said yes!

After I dropped off the kids at school and preschool, Lucy and I went to the bakery to buy something sweet to give (1/2 kilo of fruit tarts). Then we went to the gold shop to buy some gold to pin on the baby ('s shirt). They sell all weights so you can buy a gift in the amount of your choice. The look like small thin gold coins with a little link. They tie them on a ribbon with a safety pin on it. Then you pin the gift on the baby's shirt.

The ladies told me to come at 1:00, but when I peeked down at my neighbor's door, there were no shoes outside, so I figured that no one had come yet. Finally at about 1:30 I headed down, fearing that I would be the first one. Nope! The flat was packed with women! (Their shoes were inside the door.) They were praying, reading from the Koran, and blessing the baby. Even the women who do not normally cover their head with a headscarf were covered. Whoops!! I forgot my headscarf. But, no one seemed to care. They are quite forgiving of me, because they see how hard I am trying to learn the language and culture.

After the blessing time, food and tea were served. It was really fun.

This was the baby's debut. After a woman has a baby she is not supposed to go out for 40 days. At the end of the 40 days it is time to show the baby, and bless it.

DO NOT Be Tempted to Put Your Baby's Hair in Pigtails!

Even if your adorable five year old princess tries to convince you to put the baby's hair in pigtails to have "matchy girls," please do not do it!



You see, once you do, your baby instantly turns into a toddler.



There is no going back.



And, no matter how cute she looks with her tiny bit of hair pulled beyond the bounds of science, into two tiny little rubber bands with two tiny little clips- it is not worth it!



I miss my baby!!


But, they do look cute, don't they?!?

American Football

Last Christmas my parents gave Noah a Georgia Tech football uniform- complete with a small set of pads and a helmet. I think it was (still is) his favorite gift ever! Can you imagine how much valuable packing space a football helmet takes up in an international move?!

Lord help us... the boy has just suited up in full uniform and is headed down to the park! He has taken his American football down a time or two, and the kids are fascinated by it. You should see them throw it!! But today, oh today... the real deal is about to make his appearance. If people didn't have anything to stare at before, now they do.

The way the kids play is by lateraling it constantly and tackling the crap out of anyone who is near the ball. Basically it is a no holds barred wrestling match. Quite brutal!!

At Least it Wasn't Sponge Bob...

We've gotten the pictures back from Lucy's photo shoot. Under normal conditions, I am stressed out during photo shoots because it is so expensive, and I want just the right shot! So, I was particularly stressed and sweatty during this session. (Have I told you that I break out in sweat when I am nervous? This make for many a sweaty conversation since I am always nervous functioning in my new language. Not to mention that is is getting hotter and hotter here. Sorry... this is another post for another day. I'm sure you are rivited!) As I was saying, we got the pictures back. I think they speak for themselves!



Note to self... next time you are conversating with a photographer and he mentions the word "character" say "no!" No matter what and how much of the conversation you understood up until that point. JUST SAY NO TO CHARACTERS!!



These are better, although quite stoic. Lucy was short on the smiles for Mr. Photographer!!

Portraits

I took Lucy to get her 18 month portraits done the other day. It was ok. I am always so nervous and stressed during my kids portrait sessions, and then trying to function in Tish on top of that! I was sweating!!! Lucy was not in the "smiley-ist" of moods and the backgrounds are a little "different" than what I'm used to. The guy wanted a week to fix them up. I can't be sure, but during the consultation time when you look at the pictures on the computer I think he said something about being able to add a character (as in Mickey Mouse) and also something about changing one of the backgrounds entirely! Um... ok? So when I pick these pictures up tomorrow I'll let you know what they look like! Couldn't be cuter than this...

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool."
Isaiah 1:18

The Islands

On Mother's Day we decided to explore some islands we had heard wonderful things about. They are located in the Sea just south of the Straight. (Do you need a map to figure all of this out, yet?) We hopped on the bus down to the Straight, and caught the ferry out to the islands. It was about an hour long ride. There are 9 small islands, and only 5 are populated. Wealthy city folk have their summer homes on these beautiful islands. There are no cars so they are perfectly quiet. Well, except for my favorite sound- the clip clop of horse hooves! There are plenty of carriages awaiting to tour you around. We grabbed lunch first.




Noah and Callie are eating döner sandwiches. They are the vertically cooked meat, shaved onto fresh bread, with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and french fries on top. They are yummy!!!


After lunch, I was dying to go on a carriage tour of the island. It was wonderful. The view was incredible, and so was the silence! You forget how loud our lives are- especially in the big city!! Our carriage driver stopped to let us take a few pictures. They do not do justice to this beautiful place!



Or the beautiful family!



Callie striking a pose.



Noah posing with our horses and driver.



Our ride home! We'll catch the next one!



This is the view from the ferry boat on the way home. We love the slow old ferries that transport people all around the city via the water. They are such a part of Tish nostalgia. A few years back they tried to replace the boat fleet with newer, faster boats. But the public freaked out. There is nothing better than a relaxing ride across the Straight while sipping tea. Some people even throw bread out and watch the seagulls catch it before it hits the water. But not me because I HATE birds!!

Rat Tails Rock my World

This is what I need you to know today...
THE RAT TAIL IS ALIVE AND KICKIN' IN THE TKY!!



When I was a kid our babysitter showed up with a foot long red rat tail, and love was born in my heart. I think it impacted my brother, Paul, even more because he began to grow and nurture his own rat tail. It was never quite as awesome as our babysitter's, but it did attract quite a few of the West Side Elementary ladies.






Unfortunately the rat tail was replaced by every one's favorite hairstyle- the mullet. My other brother, Alan, sported quite a fine mullet. It was enough to win over his lovely wife!






Here the rat tail is all the rage. It's awesome! Every teenage boy has a rat tail, mullet, or fohawk. Will Justin join the trend... that is the question...

Self Esteem

Looking for the amazing and unique things in my children and encouraging them to be who and what God created them to be is my goal as a mom. But recently I am shocked to see how Callie already struggles with who she is. The other day she came into the room where the rest of us were hanging out and whispered into my ear, "Mom, nobody likes me." It broke my heart to hear these words from her mouth. Of course I told her how untrue that was, but didn't make too big of a deal of it.

Today, as she and I were walking down the beach together I asked her if she really felt like no one likes her, or was she just trying to guilt one of us into playing with her? She thought about it for awhile and said she really didn't think anyone likes her! So we talked about how special she is, and how God handcrafted her to be who she is. We named all of the people who love her and talked about the things they like to do together. But it boiled down to, Irem (the little girl in her class) had told her that she liked someone else better than Callie. Callie was crushed. YUCK- this starts at five years old!?!?!

I asked her to tell me her favorite thing about herself. She couldn't. So we began to name all of the wonderful things about her. After awhile, Noah came running over. I asked him to name two of his favorite things about himself. Without even so much as a pause he said, "that I'm so smart, and I'm so handsome!" Wow! Why is it so different for Callie?

She struggles so much with what others think of her. When people here ask her what her name is she won't answer them because she can't say her name the same way they do- which is wrong. Why does she care- she says her name correctly! For several years she has often used the phrase..."but people will laugh at me!" WHO CARES?!?!

How on earth can I get it the truth into her beautiful head?

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
Psalm 139: 13-14

The Beach

We had a wonderful time at the beach today! The hour long, very crowded bus ride was a little intense. But, it was worth it once we arrived! Our family loves the beach. Especially now. It is a place where we can play and be ourselves, and the kids can have a lovely measure of freedom. Pictures to follow! (some day!)

Horton

Today is a holiday. Last month we had Children's Day, and today is Youth and Sports Day. So the kids get today and tomorrow off from school. Today we went to the cinema. Noah, Callie, and I went to the Government Theatre a few weeks ago, but this was our first trip to the "real" cinema. I was surprised at how different it was! When you buy your ticket- which is very expensive (about double the US price)- you choose your seats. The cinema complexes are very large, modern, and Western (as in hemisphere, not cowboys) looking. Each theatre is quite small, seating only about 75 people. They have big cozy seats with ample leg room, and the front seats even have foot stools! The rows are done stadium style so everyone can easily see. They do an intermission mid way through so you can make a potty or food run. There were previews, and popcorn, candy, and Cokes for sale- that was the same.

We saw Horton (its title here). It was cute, but I can't imagine how difficult it was to translate Dr. Seuss into Tish! The new Indiana Jones movie comes out here this weekend. We may just have to drop the kids off somewhere and take out a bank loan to go see it!!!

Tomorrow we are going to venture to the northernmost part of our city on our side, to the beach. It should be quite an adventure. You can be sure I'll blog about it for you!

On the bus on the way home from the cinema, Noah asked, "Mom, why is everyone staring at us?" "Because we're beautiful, baby. We're awesome and beautiful!"

Summer's Comin'

So things are warming up here pretty quickly- although you would not know it by how people dress! I am trying to keep on one layer more than is comfortable. My theory is that if I can acclimate to the weather I may survive this summer without melting into a ball of sweat!