WOOHOO!

Warm weather here we come!

Be back soon...maybe with a tan!

LOL...or at least not quite as bright!

;)

I just have to brag...

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this blog...but I've been meaning to post it since October when we actually DID bob for apples. He got his very quickly!


The Prince walked in to my room this morning just as my alarm was going off. I was a little disoriented because I am always the first one up on school mornings. Anyway. He said, "Mom. Dad. Bad news. My computer died." Once I got over the shock of him setting his alarm and actually getting up before me...we could talk.

side note: My kids are not allowed to play computer or video games, wii games, DS games, or anything like that during the week...it tends to distract them from quality school work. So...come 4:00 on Fridays...they get to play those kinds of things if their school work is finished and they are usually VERY motivated to do so.

So, he tells us the problem and then proceeds to tell us that he thinks he can fix it if he has his Restore CD's (which we haven't been able to locate in our move). The good news being that he backed up everything on his computer just this past weekend, so he would only be losing this weeks worth of assignments.

The King gets up and goes to help him. No luck with the Restore CD's. It's not looking good. However, we are going to this home school conference and will have access to a computer technician since many expat kids do online school. So, there's a bright spot. Help is on the horizon.

The King and I get a little frustrated over computer issues, but the Prince has found a new love in computer programming this year. It's his favorite course and he's always working on it. He's been developing his own stuff and learning by leaps and bounds. He continually asks me, "Mom, did you know you can do THIS by doing THAT?" It's always a shortcut or command prompt or something like that. I vaguely understand and vaguely remember my college days of computer programming and MS DOS...but things have changed so much.

Well, we decided that we don't have what it's going to take to fix his computer and tell him to hang in there til next week and do the assignments that don't require the computer. But he's not so easily swayed. I don't know how much time passed, but he came back into the room triumphant, "I fixed it!" And he did. He knows enough ways to bypass the system, that he got in by the back door and made it work. (which makes me wonder about the password protected places on my computer...can he get in?...do I want to know if he can?...because that doesn't mean he is...Now, there is still probably a problem for a technical guy to take care of, but maybe not...

The Prince has always been fascinated with computers...maybe it will be what he spends his life doing...if not, it will still be a big part, I'm sure. I'm proud of him.

Way to go, TWO-PER! (inside joke)

2 days and counting...

On Sunday we are leaving for warmer weather...do you hear that?...that's the sound of flip-flops calling my name!

We were blessed to attend a conference for Homeschooling expatriate families like ourselves at this time last year. It was a much needed respite for many reasons....we were new to this culture...it was COLD here...we needed some schooling resources...etc.

This year, our kids will be tested to see how I'm doing...ahem...I mean to see how they're doing academically in this new school setting. There will be workshops intended to enlighten and encourage, as well as a Scholastic Book Fair (if you know me AT ALL, you know that books are my downfall...however...for my upcoming birthday, my husband has purchased a Kindle for me...so I won't be buying tons of books for HIM to carry back into our country!), friends we met along this journey, and most importantly...WARM WEATHER! The place we are traveling to is known for its warm weather and we are ready.

The King has been counting down longer than any of us. He's hilarious. He mimics the Princess' squeal and says the number of days!

Where we live there is no central heat or air. We also live in a concrete apartment building which tends to hold the cold inside. On many days it's colder inside than out...so if the sun is shining..we get outside to enjoy it! We are getting tired of wearing at least two layers of clothing all the time (one being thermals!). Not meaning to complain...just trying to help you understand why we are so ready for warm weather.

My in laws understand it better now that they've been here...and it got colder after they left. We will enjoy about a week at the conference and then are planning on about another week in the sun! Hallelujah!

I don't remember very good Internet service last year...but I'll try to keep you posted as we go along.

For the record...

It was brought to my attention that some of you might overreact to my post called "ponderings" from a few days ago and think that we are miserable and nobody's happy. That is not the truth. The truth is parenting is hard and I am always seeking wisdom. I cautiously stated MY thoughts knowing full well there is more to the story. I think I assumed you would know that as well. Please don't think that we are falling apart over here. We're not. There are just moments, sometimes days, sometimes seasons in life where things are uncertain and when it comes to child-rearing...I'm almost always uncertain. I want to be the best parent I can be. I want so much for my kids. I want what's BEST for them. I want to guide them in the way of truth. But the truth is...I pray for and over my children and I am trusting that God is true to His word. He has plans for them that are far beyond my hopes and desires for them. He will be faithful to them even when I fail them. He is in control...not me! Thank the Lord! LOL.

~just sayin' so we can be clear on all this. We clear? Good. :)

My own death wish...

I will probably die a slow and painful death over this post...but I have enough of an adventurous spirit that I'm not worried. The King and the Princess took an overnight trip together and I guess they didn't take enough things to entertain themselves because this is what I found on his camera phone... Sorry for the poor quality...but they're funny enough to try to share.

Golf Lessons...

These pictures are from the King's camera phone. I have been waiting patiently for him to download them for some time. These are from October when we visited the boarding school. There was a driving range not far from where we stayed. Fun was had by all.
I love the pic of the King reaching around the Prince (barely) with his chin on the Prince's shoulder to show him the stance and grip he needed. It made me painfully aware that my little boy is no longer little, but is almost a man. Sigh. The picture I DON'T have is the one where the Prince swung with all his might and let the club go flying through the air about 70 yards. The look on his face was priceless. He turned around all wide-eyed with the look that said, "OOPS!-I didn't mean to do that!-Did you see...-YES....you saw (Because I'm rolling on the floor!)-What do I do now!?" I would pay money to see that again! HILARIOUS!!

The Soundtrack to my day...

You Deliver Me as sung by Todd Smith and Selah...

(I'm fully aware that just printing the words here will not give you the full experience...so find it on amazon or somewhere for its full effect.)

Deep as the ocean, Bright as rain
This powerful emotion lifts me up above the planes
It's taken me to places I never thought I'd go
Showing me a grace I never thought I'd know

When I feel like I can't go on
You deliver me
When the road is winding and way too long
You deliver me
You deliver me

I feel like a sinner, my sins have been washed clean
I'm absolutely given, this heart has never seen
I must be forgiven sometimes asking why
I was chosen to be given you in this life

When I feel like I can't go on
You deliver me
When the road is winding and way too long
You deliver me
You deliver me

When there's a distance
Between what I am and who I want to be
You deliver me

When I feel like I can't go on
You deliver me
When the road is winding and way too long
You deliver me
You deliver me

When I feel like I can't go on
You deliver me
When the road is winding and way too long
You deliver me
You deliver me

Ponderings...

Warning...this may or may not be how things are...this is how they seem to me. How's that for a disclaimer?

Some days I wonder if my daughter is going to make it. Make it through what, you ask? Life. I don’t remember much about my life at her age. Maybe she’s just like me. Maybe this is normal kid stuff. Maybe I should ask my mom.

Mom? Was I a drama queen? Did I act like a brat one minute and an angel the next? Did I hate school? Did I hate whatever I was doing at that moment because I wanted something else? Did I have the grass is greener syndrome? OK, you don’t really have to answer those…I’m pretty sure my brothers have told me the answers.

I read “The Strong-Willed Child” by Dr. Dobson when the Prince was little. I read “The NEW Strong-Willed Child” by Dr. Dobson when the Princess was a toddler and I thought there were things he left out that she could teach him. LOL.

I pick my battles. I learned early on to give her choices. But now we’ve reached the fork in the road where her choice is always the one I didn’t offer. She asks my opinion…and when I give it…she chooses the opposite. Ug. It looks to me like she’s going to go through life by the rules of the School of Hard Knocks. I don’t want that for her. I know enough people who have chosen that route and none of them are the better for it.

What I don’t know… is how to deal with this super headstrong child. I do not want to break her spirit…just bend it a little. I firmly believe that if she doesn’t learn to obey her parents…she will never be able to obey God. I try to tell her “why” but sometimes she doesn’t need to know why…she just needs to do it. God doesn’t usually tell me why…I find that out later. I trust Him to take care of me. Sometimes I wonder if my child doesn’t trust me to take care of her…doesn’t trust that I’m looking out for her best interests…always.

I don’t know how to handle her. She’s so different from my memories of me at that age. I am constantly coming up with creative ways to discipline, when I rather be creatively rewarding…but she fights against it.

She hates home school AND the international school we’ve been going to. Why? In home school, she’s by herself and wanting classmates. At the international school, although small, she has classmates…which is a distraction and she can’t get her work done…therefore making her have homework. Can’t make her happy? What’s the underlying issue?

Another thing is that my daughter is living life as the Belle of the Ball. Where we are…there are no other blonde-haired kids. Not…just a few…I mean…NONE. So…everyone wants to give her things all the time and now she thinks she deserves them. Ug. My daughter was always the giving one..and she still is, but sometimes the bad outweighs the good…especially if she’s had a “bad attitude” day. The pendulum swings both ways.

I don’t want her to be just like me, but do want her to have Godly characteristics. If I don’t see them in her…is it because she doesn’t see them in me? What else can I do to shape her? My knees are calloused already from praying and they’ll stay that way. There are not many other adults in her life to build her up and I know she’s missing that. She has gone through some more grief lately over missing America…friends, English speakers, family, our pets, etc. Am I expecting too much from an 8 year old? I don’t think so, but maybe. She’s pushing every boundary and we haven’t even reached teenage years. Yikes.

I know Who has the answers and I’m talking to Him daily, but many of you are wondering “where I am” and why my blog isn’t up-to-date. This is one reason why. These are the things that are on my heart and mind and I just didn’t want to air it for the world to read. But then I realized I was flattering myself thinking that THAT many people read my blog. LOL. If you’re reading it…it’s because you care about us and will pray for that little Princess and her mother…which is ultimately why I posted.

I love her. I want what’s best for her. I want her to be an easy child to rear (HA! Don’t we all? Truth be told). I want her to love people and care about others above herself. I want her to love God and have a heart for service. But what if she doesn’t? …I’ll still love her. I'm her mother and she is my daughter, unique and special.

A funny from the Prince...

A few weeks ago when we took that little trip with the grandparents, after we sent them home, we headed home. We had landed in our city.

SIDENEOTE: One of the things that is different over here is that at the airport you go to a gate and walk out to a bus in which you cram more people and suitcases than can possibly fit into it and then it drives you to your plane which could be 1/2 a mile or 1/2 a yard away. AND People here do not line up they cram up. Crazy. As if you don't have an ASSIGNED seat!

Anyway. That's beside the point. The point is when we landed we did the reverse. We came off the plane and crammed into a bus that drove us literally 2 feet and let us out. We tried to walk around the bus and they insisted we get on. The doors on the other side were closed...so no walking through. We had to wait until every single person on the plane had squeezed into the bus. It drove us 2 feet and the opposite side doors opened. What was that all about? We have no idea, but we laughed about it all the way through the security checkpoint. Crazy country. :) The funniest thing to us is that none of the national people thought it was strange. LOL.

Haiti...

I've been thinking, like most of the world, about Haiti alot lately. Of course, the devastation breaks my heart. I was trying to share with a national friend about the earthquake. She had not heard and I was seriously struggling with my language to give her the details...through my tears. The pictures are horrific. Finally, I just opened the computer and pulled up pictures and we just cried together. Tears and smiles....need no common language. They are one in their own right.

I have friends in the process of adopting twins from there and I've been waiting (anxiously, I must admit) to hear from anyone that they are OK...which they are. Praise the Lord.

But, as a family, we are still praying. We sponsor a child there and have yet to hear whether he is alive. The thing is...if he isn't, we have been given a blessing in knowing that we will see him again in heaven. He was pen pal to the Princess and one of the first things he ever wrote to us was that he "had Jesus in his heart. Do you?" From across the world, in an impoverished country, he was being a missionary with his words...at 6 years old. We've been blessed to know him and we pray he is alive and well. Please pray for Maquel with us.

I've read the question alot lately....does God hate Haiti? And while I instantly say, of course not, I have to remind myself that people who don't KNOW God...cannot know his character. He sent his precious treasure...his one and only son to this world to bridge the gap that our sin had created. Jesus gave his life for us that we might be with him eternally. He paid our debt. So, does God hate Haiti? Absolutely not. What God hates is sin. It's PEOPLE he loves.

While the bad seems overwhelming right now...the good I see is in the relief. Right now, thousands of people are being mobilized to help. Many of those relief workers who show up will bring medicine and food and water...but mostly...they'll bring Jesus...not all of them, but many. So our family is praying for Haiti in a new way. That the people of Haiti will receive the message of love and life and that a NEW Haiti will be built up on the old. One where an awakening has taken place. We all know the history of Haiti and the terrible things that have taken place before. Let's ask God to begin a new thing.

Whew.

Finals are over.

They were brutal.

I've written several blog posts in my head and hopefully will be able to get them into cyberspace soon. I hope I can remember them. (Smile.)

All is well. Love you all.

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter.

Today my little girl turned eight. EIGHT! Where did the time go? Not that long ago I was snuggling with this precious infant girl wondering at the wonder of her. Staring at her features wondering what she'd look like when she grew up...singing over her...praying over who she'll be...who'll she marry...how she'll live.

Today I'm beginning to have a little bit of an idea of what she'll look like. She looks like the daughters of my twin brothers at different times. When they are adults...it's highly possible that the three of them will look likes sisters.

Who she'll be...who she'll marry...how she'll live...now THOSE are weighty. I've heard it said that children turn out like their parents...like it or not. It's weighty because to some degree...she'll be like me...and I'm not even who I want to be, yet. Scary.

But...the sweetest thing is that I AM NOT IN CONTROL of it. God is. He is molding and shaping her IN SPITE of me. :) But I do play a part...a big part.

We haven't hit the terrible TEENS, yet...maybe we'll bypass the biggest pits...but either way...she's still my daughter and I will always love her. She's my "heavenly joy."

Happy birthday, Princess.

how cute...

A little info...

I know I'm supposed to be motivated to get things DONE at the beginning of a new year...but the last few days...I'm just not.

I have emails to return, blogs to post, lots of things to do...and zero motivation.

Upon a little reflection, I think it's the "down" after the "high." Know what I mean?
It's wonderful to have something to look forward to. We've had something (or someone) to look forward to since moving here. Friends and family coming for visits that were wonderful. Now, with no visits on the horizon...I think I'm just bummed. You know? Not to make you feel sorry for me...just to tell you why I haven't been on.

I am coming. School is back in session for the kids and life is returning to normal. So, my schedule will be my own again soon...I hope. :)

Thanks for understanding. Don't worry about me. Just come visit. HaHa...had to say it. LOL.

Coming...

Took a little trip to send the inlaws back home. We are home now, tons of pics to share...coming.

Thanks for checking on us...