by Amy
April 17, 2007, will forever be ingrained in my memory! It's the day we got off the plane and began our life on this side of the world. In so many ways, it seems like it was just yesterday that Brad and I drug 3 small children (at that times, ages, 4, 2, and 2), a double stroller weighted down with our 10 carry-ons, 11 trunks, and 4 rolling suitcases and 1 over-stuffed duffel bag half way around the world. Side note: by the time we got to LAX, we were convinced that my brilliant idea of packing our most heavy items, like books, in our carry-ons that had no weight limit, was a very bad idea!
But, on the other hand, April 17, 2007, seems like a million years ago! It's encouraging to think how far we've come in the last 4 years - especially in the area of language. Oh, how many times did I have to call a friend and have her tell my taxi driver where I wanted to go? Now, I'm the one getting calls and talking to my friends' taxi drivers! How many times did I pay way too much for something at the market? Now, I'm familiar with reasonable prices and enjoy doing a little bargaining. Oh, and I remember feeling so discouraged about cooking four years ago. I had a huge stack of recipe cards, and I could find what I needed to make exactly three recipes. Now....there are probably about 3 recipes I can't make, (thanks to my husband's awesome use of the local ebay!) When we first got here, I couldn't even express my most basic needs but, now I can, by God's grace, point my friends to the One who can meet all our needs.
These last four years have not necessarily been easy, but they have been blessed! We praise the Lord for bringing us here and pray that we have many more years in this place!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Feelin' the Love -- And...
REJECTIN' IT!
So, the other day I was leaving the grocery store and flagged a taxi to take me home. This is the conversation I had with my driver:
Driver: Where are you from?
Me: America
Driver: Oh! American women are so beautiful!
Me: No, Americans are big. (People here often comment on weight. =) )
Driver: Oh no, Americans are so much more beautiful than locals. You are beautiful. How old are you?
Me: uh... this year I'll be 36. So, are you a local?
Driver: Yes, I really like Americans.
Me: Really? Do you know many Americans?
Driver: No, but I really like them. Americans seem so friendly.
Me: So...(thinking, that I need to change the subject) are you married?
Driver: Yes, but before I was married, I wanted to find an American bride. American women are so beautiful.
Me: I bet that would be difficult since there aren't many foreigners in our city. How long have you been married?
Driver: 11 years.
Me: Oh, I've been married almost 12 years. My husband's great!
Driver: I was way too young when I got married.
Me: Really? Do you not like your wife?
Driver: Not too much....Do you like your husband?
Me: Oh yes! I love my husband! He's a Christian, like me, so he is faithful and kind, quick to serve. He loves me and is a wonderful father to our 3 kids.
Driver: I really want to kiss you.
Me: Ummm Excuse me?
Driver: I want to kiss you. You know (smacking sounds)....
Me: Uh NO!! NO! Impossible! My husband would not like that! No. You. may. not. kiss. ME!!!
Thankfully, we were almost home at that point! When I tried to pay him, he didn't want to take my money. I threw the money at him, yelled, "Keep the change!" and ran into the building!
That kind of love, I'm definitely rejecting!!
So, the other day I was leaving the grocery store and flagged a taxi to take me home. This is the conversation I had with my driver:
Driver: Where are you from?
Me: America
Driver: Oh! American women are so beautiful!
Me: No, Americans are big. (People here often comment on weight. =) )
Driver: Oh no, Americans are so much more beautiful than locals. You are beautiful. How old are you?
Me: uh... this year I'll be 36. So, are you a local?
Driver: Yes, I really like Americans.
Me: Really? Do you know many Americans?
Driver: No, but I really like them. Americans seem so friendly.
Me: So...(thinking, that I need to change the subject) are you married?
Driver: Yes, but before I was married, I wanted to find an American bride. American women are so beautiful.
Me: I bet that would be difficult since there aren't many foreigners in our city. How long have you been married?
Driver: 11 years.
Me: Oh, I've been married almost 12 years. My husband's great!
Driver: I was way too young when I got married.
Me: Really? Do you not like your wife?
Driver: Not too much....Do you like your husband?
Me: Oh yes! I love my husband! He's a Christian, like me, so he is faithful and kind, quick to serve. He loves me and is a wonderful father to our 3 kids.
Driver: I really want to kiss you.
Me: Ummm Excuse me?
Driver: I want to kiss you. You know (smacking sounds)....
Me: Uh NO!! NO! Impossible! My husband would not like that! No. You. may. not. kiss. ME!!!
Thankfully, we were almost home at that point! When I tried to pay him, he didn't want to take my money. I threw the money at him, yelled, "Keep the change!" and ran into the building!
That kind of love, I'm definitely rejecting!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Anyone Hungry?
So, the other day, I was planning to take Peter on a lunch date. Brad was out of town, so that left Leigh (my helper) here with Alex and Savannah. Since it was just the three of them eating at home, she decided not to cook lunch, but let the kids pick some leftovers to eat. I guess leftovers didn't sound too appealing to Alex because when I walked in the kitchen to say goodbye, Leigh was fixing him a honey and mayo sandwich. Yes, honey on one side and mayo on the other.... nothing in the middle. I don't know who came up with that idea, but I promptly overruled it and told Alex he could have a ham and cheese sandwich. Oh my!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Feelin' the Love -- Again!
My kids are just precious! Last week Savannah said she wanted to plan a birthday party for one of her stuffed animals, but she couldn't decide which animal Peter and Alex would be most excited about. After suggesting one or another, she continually shot down all my ideas. So, I joking suggested she celebrate my birthday instead. Well, she took that idea and ran with it! I tried to emphasis that my birthday is in December, not March, and I was only joking. But, she couldn't be deterred!
So, this last Saturday, my sweet daughter planned a birthday party for her mama! The night before she prayed the Lord would help her to be a good hostess. He definitely answered that prayer! It was a great party! We had special snacks consisting on caramel popcorn, marshmallows, strawberries with whipped topping, and (iced) tea served in my real tea set. Brad was even on hand to participate in the snack portion of the party! How thoughtful of him! ;)
Then, my kids each agreed to read a story with me. It has been especially fun for my kids to read to me the picture books I used to love to read to them. So, after the snacks, Peter read Kiss Good Night to me. Oh, it was so cute to hear him read it to me with the same intonations I always use reading it to him. And, of course, he kissed me "once, twice and twice more!" I had a huge smile on my face the whole time he read!
After Peter read to me, we played Pin the Tale on the Donkey. Savannah made a lovely donkey and 5 tails. Oh, the fun! And yes, the daddy was recruited once again.
Then, it was Alex's turn to read to me. He read Guess How Much I Love You. That too was absolutely precious! He reached up high just as Little Nutbrown Hare reached up high; He yawned as Little Nutbrown Hare got tired; , and he leaned over and kissed me just as Big Nutbrown Hare kissed Little Nutbrown Hare. So fun!
Our final game on the agenda was 7up. Savannah just learned how to play this in Thailand, so she was eager to teach her brothers. With only five of us playing (yes, Wonder-Dad came back for another game), we decided to have 2 people with heads down and three people walking around to touch thumbs. It wasn't quite like I remembered from my elementary days, but Savannah was thrilled, and therefore, so was I.
Next we read Savannah's book, Love You Forever. She asked me to read to her instead reading it herself. I love that book! We have a special way that the we "sing" the song together. And, once again, I got choked up at the ending. It's amazing how quickly time flies! My little girl used to be so tiny, and now she's almost 9 years old! Thankfully, I don't feel like "selling her to the zoo!"
(Insert: Pic of Savannah....oops, I forgot to take one!)
Finally, all three kids presented me with fun homemade cards declaring their love for me! I could not imagine a better birthday party, and I'll gladly volunteer to be the recipient of one of Savannah's fun ideas in the future! I'm so feelin' the love around here!
So, this last Saturday, my sweet daughter planned a birthday party for her mama! The night before she prayed the Lord would help her to be a good hostess. He definitely answered that prayer! It was a great party! We had special snacks consisting on caramel popcorn, marshmallows, strawberries with whipped topping, and (iced) tea served in my real tea set. Brad was even on hand to participate in the snack portion of the party! How thoughtful of him! ;)
(Aren't their outfits cute? They all picked special clothes to wear for the party. Savannah's a bride; Peter's Spiderman; and Alex is Batman! - Oh, I love those kids!)
Then, my kids each agreed to read a story with me. It has been especially fun for my kids to read to me the picture books I used to love to read to them. So, after the snacks, Peter read Kiss Good Night to me. Oh, it was so cute to hear him read it to me with the same intonations I always use reading it to him. And, of course, he kissed me "once, twice and twice more!" I had a huge smile on my face the whole time he read!
After Peter read to me, we played Pin the Tale on the Donkey. Savannah made a lovely donkey and 5 tails. Oh, the fun! And yes, the daddy was recruited once again.
 |
| I love Savannah's expression in the pic! |
 |
| This is typical in our home...Alex entertaining and Peter cracking up! |
 |
| Clearly, Brad didn't win! |
Then, it was Alex's turn to read to me. He read Guess How Much I Love You. That too was absolutely precious! He reached up high just as Little Nutbrown Hare reached up high; He yawned as Little Nutbrown Hare got tired; , and he leaned over and kissed me just as Big Nutbrown Hare kissed Little Nutbrown Hare. So fun!
Our final game on the agenda was 7up. Savannah just learned how to play this in Thailand, so she was eager to teach her brothers. With only five of us playing (yes, Wonder-Dad came back for another game), we decided to have 2 people with heads down and three people walking around to touch thumbs. It wasn't quite like I remembered from my elementary days, but Savannah was thrilled, and therefore, so was I.
Next we read Savannah's book, Love You Forever. She asked me to read to her instead reading it herself. I love that book! We have a special way that the we "sing" the song together. And, once again, I got choked up at the ending. It's amazing how quickly time flies! My little girl used to be so tiny, and now she's almost 9 years old! Thankfully, I don't feel like "selling her to the zoo!"
(Insert: Pic of Savannah....oops, I forgot to take one!)
Finally, all three kids presented me with fun homemade cards declaring their love for me! I could not imagine a better birthday party, and I'll gladly volunteer to be the recipient of one of Savannah's fun ideas in the future! I'm so feelin' the love around here!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Simon Says
So, sometimes when my boys need to get a little energy out during homeschooling, I have them put down their pencils and get up for some activity. This tends to especially happen on Tuesdays, since my kids don't go to local school on Tuesday. At local school they have a 10 min recess every hour. We're going to have to figure something out when they don't go to local school while we're in America. Any tips?
Today*, my activity of choice was Simon Says. Simon says, touch your toes. Simon says, stand up tall. Simon says doing jumping jacks. And, today, Simon said to jump up and down on one foot. I told Alex that if he had any issues doing this particular activity, he could just ask his brother for help -- since he plans on teaching a whole class on this topic. Peter promptly replied, while jumping very well, I might add, "I cannot do this for a whole hour! I will only be able to do that when I'm an adult! Then, I'll teach classes!" Well....at least he has a goal.... I guess that's a good thing.
*Yes, I realize that today is actually Monday, not Tuesday. My boys' teacher called me early this morning telling me something was going on at the school, so if Peter and Alex arrived for second period (as usual) their class wouldn't be in the room. I didn't exactly catch what was going on, but I did understand when she recommended they stay home for the day. Woo-Hoo! We finished school by 2pm and went to the park to ride bikes! There were no attack trees this time!
Today*, my activity of choice was Simon Says. Simon says, touch your toes. Simon says, stand up tall. Simon says doing jumping jacks. And, today, Simon said to jump up and down on one foot. I told Alex that if he had any issues doing this particular activity, he could just ask his brother for help -- since he plans on teaching a whole class on this topic. Peter promptly replied, while jumping very well, I might add, "I cannot do this for a whole hour! I will only be able to do that when I'm an adult! Then, I'll teach classes!" Well....at least he has a goal.... I guess that's a good thing.
*Yes, I realize that today is actually Monday, not Tuesday. My boys' teacher called me early this morning telling me something was going on at the school, so if Peter and Alex arrived for second period (as usual) their class wouldn't be in the room. I didn't exactly catch what was going on, but I did understand when she recommended they stay home for the day. Woo-Hoo! We finished school by 2pm and went to the park to ride bikes! There were no attack trees this time!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Movin' Up
Before our trip to Thailand (that I plan on blogging about someday), my kids all finished their homeschool curriculum for the year. So, when we got home we started a new school year. (I love the flexibility of homeschooling!) At the beginning of the month, Savannah started homeschool 3rd grade and Alex and Peter started 1st grade. I can hardly believe how fast my kiddos are growing up! Savannah’s favorite subject is definitely English! She still loves to read and is becoming quite a writer. She does great in math, but does not really like it. Alex also enjoys reading, but his favorite subjects are math and science. Peter is my math-stud! He just figures things out – like how many pieces of candy everyone should get if we have 15 pieces. He hasn’t learned multiplication, much less division. It’s fun to see his little mind work. He claims his favorite subject is science (we’re studying Astronomy), but I think it’s really math!
So, at this point in their lives, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, these are the answers I get:
Alex 6 ½ years old:
“I have 3 options: 1. Fireman 2. Rock Star 3. Policeman. I don’t know which is my favorite. Fireman is my ‘worst favorite.’”
Peter 6 ½ years old:
“Maybe an artist or a teacher. I want to have a family and be a daddy, and go to school, like my daddy does. I want to teach people how to jump on one foot for an hour.” -- is that what he thinks his daddy does? =)
Savannah, 8 ½ years old:
“A mom, an artist, a book writer, and an engineer.” I asked, “all at the same time?” “No, I’d be a mom, and do the other things one at a time, while being a mom.” Wow! It's a good thing they don't have to choose their college major for a few more years!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Phonics Fun
by Amy
So, I was doing a phonics lesson with the boys the other day.... I asked them to think of a word that has a short 'i' sound in it. Peter was quick to say the word 'it.' Then, I asked Alex to tell me one. "Is it OK if I say a word I'm not allowed to say?" he asked so innocently. "Uh, no....think of another one." I quickly respond. So, while he's thinking and thinking, I'm thinking too.... and I can only come up with one word that sounds like 'it' that he's not allowed to say. Now, I'm wondering where in the world he heard that word! So, finally, I tell him he can say the word he's thinking of. Idiot. (We had just watched Night at the Museum and Larry Daley calls himself an idiot after making a silly mistake.) He was thinking of the word idiot. Whew! He's not allowed to say that word either!
So, I was doing a phonics lesson with the boys the other day.... I asked them to think of a word that has a short 'i' sound in it. Peter was quick to say the word 'it.' Then, I asked Alex to tell me one. "Is it OK if I say a word I'm not allowed to say?" he asked so innocently. "Uh, no....think of another one." I quickly respond. So, while he's thinking and thinking, I'm thinking too.... and I can only come up with one word that sounds like 'it' that he's not allowed to say. Now, I'm wondering where in the world he heard that word! So, finally, I tell him he can say the word he's thinking of. Idiot. (We had just watched Night at the Museum and Larry Daley calls himself an idiot after making a silly mistake.) He was thinking of the word idiot. Whew! He's not allowed to say that word either!
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