A smilebox for you...

Pause the music and let me know if this is worth the bother for you...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Look closely...

The Princess sits on the King's feet while he does sit-ups. Today she was reading a chapter book while doing it. I was trying to get a picture and the King showed out for me (see the last pic).

Daddy took these...after a mini-lesson...

For my older brothers...

Do you see the resemblance to your own girls at seven? I see it strongly.


Of course, I'm biased, but I think our girls are beautiful.

Every morning....

I was washing sheets and my lanky son lay across my bed begging for a back scratch (a daily occurrence) when his sister came asking for the same. Instead of taking her place beside him...she decided on top was better. She's a smart cookie...I can't scratch both at the same time. :)

Then, when I moved on....I came back to this sight. Both of them dozing...

Makes your heart smile, doesn't it?

Happy Birthday, MIL...

That inspires a song...wish I could sing it right now :)

This is one of the most recent pictures I have of you...doing what you do best. Keeping track of all of us. This was when Lil'Zi was born. Sorry I don't have a better one.

We're all thinking of you today and hoping your birthday is a beautiful day.
Love you much~



FYI: 28 days to MKRH!

A moment to treasure...

Today we were at some friends house and they have a piano...which means the King was playing it at some point... (Recently we heard "Right here waiting" by Richard Marks [Sp?] at a restaurant and he was trying to remember it...it's catchy. He did a good job of it.)

The Princess crawled up beside me on the couch and wrapped her arms around mine leaning her head on my shoulder. She sighed as said, "I'm so glad I have THIS Daddy."

Me: "Me, too, but why do you say that?"

Her: "Because he smells good...and plays the piano...and the guitar..."

Me: "Anything else?"

Her: "And the trumpet..."

Me: "No, I mean, why else are you glad he's your daddy?"

Her: "Because he lets me love on him anytime I want and it doesn't bother him."

My thought: "Bother him?...he LIVES for it!"

I remember having thoughts like this about my dad. As a matter of fact, I remember praying and asking God for my future husband to be left handed like my daddy, to be able to play the piano (like my pastor at the time- from his head and heart-no music) and to love the Lord as much as I did. Guess what? He answered that prayer prayed by a little girl who knew what she wanted. The King is all those things (see February 18th post).

On another note:
The King runs two or three times a week and stretches before and after. He's never been very limber, but is becoming more so. The Princess helps him by leaning on him... and she kisses his head in the meantime.

A scrapbooking moment...

This member of our family was given to us by Pandamom when they adopted their daughter. Both girls have one. The Princess LOVES her giraffe. And BOTH princesses have an affinity for giraffes.

We named this one Sesil (Cecil, to some), because of the tag and company name. However, when the Princess got old enough to know the difference in genders, she quickly informed us that her giraffe was female.

We had created a problem by giving her giraffe a male name...well, we remedied that by calling her Sesilia.

Sesilia goes with us everywhere we go and especially on overnight trips. During a short overnight trip about a month ago, the Princess was bathed and snuggling into her bed, and reading a book with Sesil snuggled up to her. It looked as if Sesil was reading over her shoulder...I had to snap the shot.

(A sidenote to Pandamom....thanks for making me start blogging...it's the form of scrapbooking for me. I love to scrapbook and cannot do it where I am. So, this allows me to treasure a single moment with the thoughts [journaling that never got put in the scrapbook] that are in my heart at that moment. And still let others see...)


MKRH....are you happy now?

An overseas visitor...

I've been trying to put another countdown on my blog...and obviously, I'm having issues. But,...I AM SO EXCITED that one of my BFF's is coming to visit me (us) at the end of May...the 25th to be exact. She's coming with another friend and has never been here before.

I was NOT supposed to use this picture...but it's the most recent one I have and I think her haircut is DARLING! Don't you?

MKRH...I am counting down EVEN if my blog doesn't show it!!! I can't wait! (said like the Princess saying "I'm going to be six! ...you understand!)

An anniversary...

Well...we arrived in this country (in our city) 6 months ago tonight...at about 11PM. Can it be? Some days it feels like we just got here and other days it feels like we've been here forever.

Language update: Every day we try our language on people and sometimes it works! Last week when I went to retrieve a package from the Post Office...NO ONE seemed to understand a word I was saying. Then Sunday when I went, they understood everything...so I tried a few new phrases! SUCCESS!

The problem day (We call them BCD...Bad Country Day)...I came home in a bad mood....the good day...I came home with a huge smile and a spring to my step...If my husband didn't live with me and experience the same things...he would think me CRAZY!!! I have to fight my emotions many days.

People stare at us wherever we go (nothing new there), but especially if we're together as a family. We took Good Friday off from school (Yes, I skipped class). The weather was beautiful and we spent some time at a park and just enjoyed being together in the middle of the day...but we drew QUITE A FEW stares for that. Who keeps their kids out of school? Those crazy foreigners, that's who! :)

Reflection: The initial entry into this new life was a shock to all of our systems. We were merely surviving. Now that we are learning our way...we're beginning to truly thrive. All thanks to the Father!

Because we are language and culture students, we are in classes with people from many other countries. In my class this semester, there is someone from Switzerland, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Chile, Tajikistan, Australia, USA, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Japan. Most of them are young, foreign exchange students or on a 6 month visa. One young man heard me talking to another about my children and asked if my husband was here, too. He couldn't believe an entire family would move around the world to learn a foreign language and study culture. The subject always opens doors to talk about other important things in our lives.

Anyway, I know I'm rambling. I just thought I should mark this day somehow. I'd like to mark it with a huge check mark! A mark that implies...it's finished as well as...it was good! More good days are ahead!

Side note: On the bad language day...I was so sure I was saying the correct thing. When I got home and my tutor came over, I said the same things to her and IMMEDIATELY knew by the look on her face what I had said. Not a major feaux pax (SP?), but still funny. I was telling the taxi driver over and over to take me to the MUSIC, which was opposite the main gate of the university. Music? You mean, Post Office? Oh, yeah...that. No wonder he looked at me funny. Oh well. I got it right the next time. :) And I did get there the first time. I'm sure that taxi driver was glad when I got out...crazy American!

One last post today....

I know it seems like I've spent this RESURRECTION SUNDAY on my blog...but I had a little time and a few things to say. :) We had a wonderful time of worship this morning with some local friends.

It still seems strange to me that in this country...the Post Office is open on Sunday. But today we were grateful. We received a package full of goodies. Things we needed, things we asked for, things for fun, and some things just because we're loved. I don't know if there is a way to express how truly humbled we are by the outpouring of love we have received in our 6 months here (yes, it's six months on Tues.). We receive cards, packages, and emails from friends and family at the right moment. They ALWAYS lift our spirits. So, ladies, we love you, too. Thank you for meeting our needs as well as some wants! (We dove into the Skittles!!!!Butterfingers are for dessert!)

AJF, you are a gem. I miss you more than you know. I'll let you know as I open the rainy day envelopes. The Princess is wearing the green lip gloss ring...because, obviously, it matches her cute green outfit from another recent package! Blessings on this day and the coming week!

A normal, daily occurrence...

He's getting so good at this. Some days I can't tell who is playing, the Prince or the King. Those of you who've heard the King play know what that says. Also...he'll KILL me for saying this, but...he watched a Barbie movie (The Island Princess) with his sister and it has a beautiful melody that sticks in your head. Before I knew it, I heard him playing it on the guitar....Like Father...like son.

My kitchen helper...

She's such a PRECIOUS girl. She is always wanting to help someone or love on someone. She's been wanting to help in the kitchen and I've been putting her off for safety reasons...not to mention...it's a small space. But there are some things she can do and she's MORE than willing. She has a giving nature. A treasure, to be sure.

Thanks, Lord, for this darling little girl.

A tidbit...

The King and I rotate Tae Kwon Do duty. One week he takes the kids, the next I do. It allows us about 2 1/2 hours two nights a week to be alone and take care of some things we want or need...a RARE thing. This was his week and I planned to bake cookies while he was gone. I love baking. As he was getting ready to leave, he asked, "What are you planning on doing...taking a long, hot bath?"

Me: "No. Bake cookies the entire time. Wanna trade?"

Him: "Yes, but I don't know how to make them."

Me: "Can you read a recipe?"

Him: "Yes. Can you help me find the ingredients before you go?"

Me: "You're serious?"

Him: "I'm serious."

Me: "Done deal!!!"


He said I had better NOT post this picture...but...I'm not scared of him. Cute apron!


Finished product. Yum. AND they were delicious. No "Slice and Bake" for us. "Cooking from Scratch" all the way!

14 and 41!

My boys have the same birthday. On my husband's 27th birthday, he received his "best birthday present ever" (...the one that can NEVER be outdone unless a grandchild is born on that day...very far in the future!). Here's a fun pattern we noticed...when Prince was born, King was 27, when Prince was 3, Dad was 30,... 14/41, when he's 25 his Dad will be 52, 36/63, 47/74, 58/85.

Lest you think I forgot because I didn't post...we were busy. The Prince had his favorite breakfast (in this country) which was chocolate chip pancakes. Gift #1: A Dr Pepper! (I've been saving it for two months!) Gift #2-7: misc. things made by his sister with LOVE. She spent the entire week before the big day making things in the secrecy of her room. Gift #3: A 50-disc Dicovery Channel Set. The kid is a junkie when we're in the states! Gift #4: some video game time...since he's been grounded for SO LONG (according to him). The Princess made a Dot to Dot cat for her dad and two stylish necklaces. He sports them well. The Prince had a buddy over for the afternoon and they did things fourteen year old boys do in this country...made paper airplanes and through them off the balcony (Yes, I made them pick them up), taught each other fun card games, played the Wii, and laughed and guffawed like boys do. It was a pleasant sight.

Here are a few pictures:










The wrapping paper...a huge bathroom towel. Waste not...want not. You gotta use what you have sometimes!





There were days we questioned whether or not this child would make it to fourteen before we killed him. In the last few months...we started saying if he made it to his birthday ALIVE, then WE would have a party for US!!! LOL...I KNOW some of you out there know what I'm talking about...and those of you who don't...call me when you you get here.

We had a wonderful day together! The Lord blessed us with a B-E-A-utiful day! 74 degrees...sunshine...cool breeze...

Wish you could have been here...

He is Risen!

Christ the Lord is RISEN TODAY!!!

Praise his holy name.

Lord, Jesus, thank you that you took my place...willingly.

ROTFLOL

Ok. Let' see if I can tell this in a way that does it justice.

Remember the password post a few days ago?

Well...the Princess had a buddy over today and they were camped out on her super high bed playing Dora games on my computer. They got up to do something and by the time they got back, my computer had hibernated which requires a password to get back to where you were. Well, the King went to check on them and this is what he saw and heard:

A blonde head next to a black head whispering, "How do you spell 'Nunya'?"
"I think it's N-U-N...but what comes next?"

ROTFLOL. We have giggled over that ALL DAY LONG!!!

Happy birthday AJF!

I deliberated about whether to post on your birthday in my time zone or yours and I piddled around and missed both. Sorry.


Cute toes :)

Recently, I was in a hotel room (the VERY one) that we shared together (sort of) on an overseas trip where God knit my heart to yours (and we freaked out thinking that firecrackers going off was a drive by!). You are truly "a diamond in the rough" and I cannot wait to see what plans He has for you. Love you. Hope your day was blessed.

A funny...

The Princess was watching me log into my computer and asked me what my password was. I told her, "It's private...that's why I have one." She kept asking...so I asked her if she could keep a secret...(What little girl can't!? LOL). She answered enthusiastically, "Yes!" So...I told her my password is "Nunya" (those of you with siblings got it right away, huh? When I was younger and I wanted to know something...my brothers said the answer was...yep,...nunya...as in "Nunya business" or for those of you who don't speak slang..."None of your business"). Well...the Princess hasn't heard that before, so she was thrilled to be in the "KNOW"...but like most little girls she couldn't keep the secret for long. She told her dad that she knew my password, and Dad, not believing that she did, asked her what it was..."Can you keep a secret?" she asked. Of course. Mom's password is "Nunya." Dad responded with, "Imagine that. That's my password, too." We've laughed about it many times...but not in her presence because that would spoil it. It reminds me of a little boy who used to sing, "I don't have a clue!" until he heard people laughing and realized that whatever a "clue" was...he should have one!



By the way...she lost another tooth...7 total.

You won't believe it!

Guess what?

I'm pregnant!

April Fool's!!!!!

No, really, it's a joke.

That's for all the times I was asked if I was pregnant when I was just fat..or for all the times I was asked when I really wanted to be, but wasn't...or for all the years teaching when I wanted to prank the kids that were pranking me..or just because I'm on this side of the Great Big Pond and you can't hit me for it!

In case you didn't know I have an ornery streak...now you do! :)

Have a happy day!!!