Happy Birthday SJK!

UPDATE: New pics thanks to your mom...

I hate that I don't have a recent pic of you to post. Everytime I look at you...I see your daddy. I know he would be proud of you. I hope your birthday is wonderful. You are growing into such a beautiful, young woman. Don't forget who holds your heart in His hands...the one who made it. You are very loved, precious one.

A song for you...

I wish I knew how to put this song on here for you to hear. If you can, google it. It's powerful.

Steven Curtis Chapman Treasure Of Jesus

What can I do
How can I live
To show my world
The treasure of Jesus

What will it take
What could I give
So they can know
The treasure He is

If I can sing
Let my songs be full of His Glory
If I can speak
Let my words be full of His Grace
If I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The Treasure of Jesus

And if I can sing
Let my songs be full of His Glory
If I can speak
Let all my words be full of His Grace
And if I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The Treasure of Jesus

He really has no idea how CUTE he is...

A girl and her Dad...

She learned how to "pucker up" by about 8 months old...We've always called her Princess Pucker-up...Doesn't she look just like her dad? Imagine him with hair or her without..whichever works for you.

Her favorite place to be is with Dad..or rather ON Dad.



Mom, take the picture. You're interrupting our cuddle time. One of these days they'll be glad I did interrupt...like when she's too big to do this anymore. She says she'll NEVER be too big. Gotta love it.

Side note: The other day she asked her Daddy if she could sleep in one of his t-shirts...he hesitated, but said yes...then after a short delay, he asked her why she wanted to. Her response, "Because I love the way you smell and when you've already worn the shirt it smells like you. I LOVE IT!" Big smile...from both of them.

My mom ROCKS!!!

I just want you all to know what a wonderful, terrific, fantastic, unbelievable, ENCOURAGING mom I have!...and that I miss her tremendously!

Mom, you'll never know what it means to me that you support me (us) through the struggle. I miss you and never get to talk to you enough. Though the distance be great, the love multiplies! CHY! What is that old saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder..."? I need a shopping buddy. I wish you could get on a plane like the old days and show up a few hours later to surprise me! Not quite so easy anymore. Love to Dad!

Brave or dumb...not sure which...

I had my friend send me some stuff to highlight my hair. I've seen what the locals do to their hair and I'm not quite ready for that...

Anyway...I needed a cut and the two I've gotten haven't been what I wanted. I cut everyone else's hair in the fam...why not mine? Well...for starters I don't have mirrors big enough! But I tried...it didn't turn out too bad. Also, I don't think you can see the highlights that well...but my hubby LOVES them. It makes me feel younger... Thanks MKRH!


In this light you can't see how blonde it really is.

What Can I say?

Ok. I know I promised to blog every care package we recieved...but I didn't know we'd get so many at one time. It seems Prideful...maybe you'll realize that three family members have birthdays one month apart and many people love us. It's truly quite humbling. The group of ladies that sent this do not do ANYTHING halfway. (The handwritten note from you (JG) made me remember when you gave me an audible "thank you"...do you remember? I don't think I'll ever forget. It made me smile.) We asked for chocolate chips....we GOT chocolate chips!!!! We've already had chocolate chip pancakes and are looking forward to CChip cookies!!!


The bounty!!!! (Practically covers my table)


This is definitely the time of year to mail chocolate!!!! Nothing melted.


Books, movie, P&W CD, daily devos, CUTE emory board, baking tins, the Prince yelled, "It's a GLORIOUS day!" when he saw all the Butterfingers. Hilarious.

Love you ladies!!

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Pass the SALSA!

Our Tex Mex meal was awesome. We had:
ground beef with Taco seasoning
Tostadas
Refried beans
Salsa
grated cheese (I found Monterrey Jack, Mozzarella, and a small Cheddar!!!)
Spanish rice
diced tomatoes
Velveeta cheese (in case we wanted queso)
Sour cream
tortillas
shredded lettuce

There were "MMM's" and "AHHH's" and "OHHH's" all around the table, but that was pretty much it, besides the crunching!
Our table was full and so were out tummies. Thanks again ladies.

Just for fun...

A good friend sent this cute little mask over to us. I couldn't resist snapping this pic. She's snug as a bug. TOO CUTE.

A Royal "Dudeman"

On good weather days we get outside. The Prince loves his ripstick. He's quite good at it, too. He goes uphill, too (BOH). He makes it look so easy. He can wave at his sister, fix his hair, carry groceries for mom, or do just about anything on it. I caught these pics from our balcony with the zoom on my camera. Pretty cool.

A Kodak Moment...

We know the guitar is HUGE in comparison to her, but...

she's headstrong and had an urge to learn, so...

Dad took this teachable moment, and now...

we have great pictures and sore fingers!!!
Notice she's in shorts(!). She's got Spring Fever BAD.

A gift from Pandamom...

This came in the fun care package from Pandamom and I have scarcely been able to put it on my head. Granted, it does look cuter on her. (Her bro. is holding her hostage and pauses just long enough for me to snap a picture.)

The Prince's favorite local food

In the states we would call this Sweet and Sour Pork with potatoes...but trust me, it tastes nothing like what we ate in the states. This is one reason why we are NOT losing weight. This is the Prince's FAVORITE food. We have tried it at several restaurants and HE knows which one makes the best! I had a local friend come over to teach me how to cook some local food. She also taught me what she calls, "Coca Cola Chicken Wings." I've never made anything like it, but my family LOVES both of the new dishes and we have a date set to learn to cook some more local food. I'll let you know how it goes...

Tae Kwon Do

We signed the kids up for TKD. They go Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Prince has taken before in the states, so he's a little bummed to be considered a "White belt" again. But he's impressively remembered most of what he knew. It is neat to watch him. He's straight faced and determined. This is a first for the Princess and she's on a one month try out. The first night they had her doing sidekicks or snap kicks (I don't know and neither do they since we can't speak the language.) with another girl. If you look closely, you can see the black padded kick paddle. She would do her formation very well, snap her leg into a kick, (WHACK), hit the paddle, (GRIMACE), say "Owww" and land her formation...EVERY time. I thought she'd stop saying "OW", but no. Or stop doing the kicks, but no. The Prince says one of the perks about not understanding the language is that you cannot be disciplined. All around kids were dropping for push ups when they did things wrong or talked out of turn, but not ours. As a matter of fact, the Princess gets bored and daydreams...if she were playing baseball...she'd be picking flowers in the outfield. LOL.

No words...just tears...

Some times I just want to HIT my husband. Now calm down...I never have...well, only a playful punch. But, you might have wanted to hit him, too...

We have seriously been discussing the future education of our Prince. Can we give him all he needs through this online school? Should he go to boarding school (YIKES)? Will he have enough social interaction through homeschooling? ETC. You get the picture. This topic has weighed heavily on this Mother's heart. I didn't move half way around the world to then send my child off to boarding school (granted this is an AWESOME school), but then...it's not about me, but what's best for him. The boarding school closest to us won't accept students until 10th grade...so we've got a little time. He's still in Junior High. I've been praying and enlisted many others to pray, too, about what we should do. We haven't decided, but...today we have been discussing courses for next year. Then my brilliant husband says, "Wow, Prince, in less than 9 weeks...you'll be in HIGH SCHOOL!" Yep. You guessed it. IMMEDIATE TEARS. They are not supposed to grow up this fast. Even though at this age, there are SOME days I WANT to ship him off. But that's not every day. I remember when he was a hyperactive toddler and people would say, "Enjoy this time...it goes fast!" At that moment, I needed him to grow up some so he would SLEEP some. Now...he sleeps all the time. My how things change. When you think of him and us would you ask for wisdom? We need it. Thanks, friends.

Ok...it's a little embarrassing...but, oh well.

I walked into the Post Office for the THIRD day (yes, they're open on Sunday and I rode on a motorcycle!)in a row to receive a package and the postal worker (who usually pours over my passport to make sure it matches the name on the box) just handed over the box while shaking his head back and forth. I know, I KNOW. It's rediculous to have such a show of affection...but I'm NOT complaining. As a matter of fact...I'm downright giddy!



One of the sweetest things about longtime friends is that they know you and love you, warts and all.

Pandamom is THE best gift-giver I know. We could not believe the stuff you sent! Thanks for the Easter stuff, birthday stuff, personal words from PP, decorations on the box (names and scriptures),...EVERYTHING. Just seeing your writing made me smile!! We Love, Love, LOVE you all.

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!!

We received a care a package (or rather, two boxes) around my birthday from three wonderful ladies! They came one day apart and brought tears to my eyes (remember, I'm a crybaby...not as bad as Flea, :) though). You won't believe the contents...I didn't. It was an entire Tex-Mex meal minus the meat. Taco seasoning, Spanish Rice, Tia Rosa tortillas!, Tostadas, an 8-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper (wrapped individually in ziplocs and put in one giant ziploc...no explosions!), Salsa x2 (one leaked a little), refried beans, and chips (smashed to a million pieces, but still edible!!)along with dessert items to enjoy. We're DYING to eat it, but the King has missed (and will) a couple of meals with us...so we're planning...Sunday lunch...just like old times! I cannot wait. Since I know how to make my own sour cream and if I can find avocados (Even if I can't)...we'll feel like we're back home!

Now, reading this you might think we are unhappy....we're not. My family LOVES the food here and I must admit to finding a few things that keep me from being skinny...but there is NOTHING like a GOOD Mexican food meal. Yummm.

So ladies, we are so grateful that you even tried to send these things to us. We wouldn't have thought it possible. Above the tangible, it's the thought that you love an support us enough to follow through with the good intention. You are loved and missed more than you can know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and happy tummies...

The sweetest thing...

...is waking up to your children and husband singing happy birthday while bringing you breakfast in bed. The necklace was my gift specially chosen by my daughter. I also got a few extra minutes by myself while my husband made breakfast for the kids instead of me doing it.



Another sweet thing is logging on to find a mailbox full of birthday greetings, as well as a blog dedicated to me. Many friends took the time to email a word or an online card early so I would have it on my birthday (since we're hours earlier than most of you). I've been receiving greetings and love via email for a week. I've been notified that packages are coming. My love languages are words of affirmation/gifts. I feel sufficiently loved. Much more than I deserve. Much love and thanks...my cup runneth over...it's a good day.

Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest"

I read from this devotional book everyday and this was todays...powerful. I hope you're moved or rather sown...

March 11th.

VISION

"I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." Acts 26:19

If we lose the vision, we alone are responsible, and the way we lose the vision is by spiritual leakage. If we do not run our belief about God into practical issues, it is all up with the vision God has given. The only way to be obedient to the heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God's highest, and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision. The test is the sixty seconds of every minute, and the sixty minutes of every hour, not our times of prayer and devotional meetings.

"Though it tarry, wait for it." We cannot attain to a vision, we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself. We get so practical that we forget the vision. At the beginning we saw it but did not wait for it; we rushed off into practical work, and when the vision was fulfilled, we did not see it. Waiting for the vision that tarries is the test of our loyalty to God. It is at the peril of our soul's welfare that we get caught up in practical work and miss the fulfilment of the vision.

Watch God's cyclones. The only way God sows His saints is by His whirlwind. Are you going to prove an empty pod? It will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of what you have seen. Let God fling you out, and do not go until He does. If you select your own spot, you will prove an empty pod. If God sows you, you will bring forth fruit.

It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the vision.

Language update...

I know some of you are wondering how our language learning is coming. After all we are language and culture students. Well....it's a slow process, but we are ALL making progress. When we first came over, we started classes late and it was crazy to believe we would catch up. The stress of learning to live over here was more than I could handle WITH school...so I dropped out for the remainder of that semester and worked at home with a tutor. After the new year holiday and our vacation, we were all ready to get back to it. We've all started back and we're all being tutored also. The King did some studying before we came over and it proved to be a benefit to him. He is beyond the rest of us, but the kids are quickly catching on...It seems I'm the slow learner of the family. :)

Anyway, we use the language with each other as much as we can. We are building vocabulary and learning the grammar (which seems TOTALLY backwards to me). As a matter of fact we have coined a number of new phrases based on our limited language. We just say what we can in the national language and the rest in English. It's quite humorous at times. Many times we can't even speak English...the words are just...gone...without a trace. As a matter of fact, the Princess was having her first tutoring lesson after vacation and she was practicing conversation with the tutor. She was supposed to say one thing and another (similar sounding) word came out. Her first response what what she hears from us "I've been speaking English too much lately...I've forgotten all my national language (all 15 words)!" We got a grin out of it. Some days we can't speak any language fluently and we feel like we're speaking like toddlers. "Hello" "I want that" "How much?" "Thanks" "Good-bye"

There is so much more we want to be able to say. On a recent ride home from the airport, the King shared the MOST IMPORTANT STORY of all with the driver in the national language. The King had help and has it written down. He read it to the guy and was understood. The driver didn't make a decision, but has been told AND he drives us every time we take a trip...so we'll have more opportunities.

As for the culture...well...it "smacks you in the face" as a friend of mine put it. There are evidences of western life everywhere, but it's still so different. Understanding the "why" of things doesn't always come, but when it does, we can appreciate the differences. We're trying to appreciate them anyway. It's a beautiful country with beautiful people and wonderful history. We don't see eye to eye on how to stand in line (they don't believe in it...they just cut you off)...but they are staring at us less and less and we're co-existing, anyway.

My husband's former secretary was concerned that I would become "anorexical" (her teasing word) because I don't care for the food, but I've found there are several things I do like that I wouldn't have cared for in the States. Either my tastes buds are changing or I'm just not that picky anymore! Besides, I DO LOVE FOOD. On a recent trip in country, we had Mexican...Yep, and it was good. Not Tex-Mex, but good. However, it's a long way to go for dinner. There is a small (very good local food)restaurant in our apartment complex that we just found out will deliver. PTL! On long homeschool days when it's cold outside...bring on the delivery! The problem is...they don't speak my language and I BARELY speak theirs. So...it's a HUGE language victory when I call, place the order, ask how much, give my address, and when the food comes to my door (hence, the right address) and it's what I ordered...I'm THRILLED!

So, for the first few months we were just surviving, but now we're actually beginning to thrive. Keep praying for us! We need it and truly appreciate it. Hope that helps you undestand a little more. Love~

Hmm.

Am I going to wish I didn't show her how to take pictures with the new camera? There might be few private moments from here on out...

The coolest thing..

This butterfly actually glows in the dark!

Belated birthdays...

Mak-N-CHEEZ, I'm very proud of you! You are a terrific young lady! Beautiful, as well. Sorry I didn't get this posted on your birthday. Love you much.


J-You OLD man!!! I still have a mental picture in my head of you being ummm......8 years old. Can it be? If you're 35, then I'm....dirt? OR maybe just older than dirt!!!! Love you. Happy day. CYH.