Enjoying the special treats

Disclaimer: I wrote this several weeks ago, but for some reason it got lost in "time" and was posted back in April 2011.  I found it and thought I'd move it more current!

It's really a change in a deeply ingrained life strategy.  I'm not an extreme hoarder, but I definitely struggle to use up the things that are special, for fear that when they run out . . . then what will we have.  It's been a process of conviction really.  First, it was E and J's phrase and lifestyle "use the best first and you'll always have the best."  Which in the logistics of it is true; use the imported powdered sugar and when it's gone, you'll have the other option which is now the best available.  But it even reaches to a deeper level of contentment.  Enjoy it now, contented, and trust that what I have later I can also be content with.

"1000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" gave fullness to the concept of contentment and deepened the conviction in my heart that I wasn't entering fully into the now and trusting Him with the tomorrow.  Seems silly that such matters of the heart surface over things like peanut butter, powdered sugar, sweet potatoes and black beans.  I know the issues of contentment don't end there, but that is a practical place I'm seeking to push back and believe Him; enjoy Him.  And with the bounty that all our visiting friends brought (more special treats than we could have asked for) it would truly be gluttony to not.

So we're using them, pulling them out of our black pantry trunks and enjoying His little gifts of grace now.  Rather than hoarding them for a really bad day; which when I examine my heart means I'm trusting that bag of Recee's Peanut Butter cups to carry me on bad days instead of Jesus.  That somehow on that day, His generosity will have run out; His grace been exhausted is not Truth.   

Peanut Butter Balls . . . a luscious Christmas confection.  And we made them together out of all imported ingredients.  One of the best parts was watching Stephanie's how to video on the Joy of Baking with Elli. I didn't know it would transform our cooking experience.  We can struggle to work together in the kitchen.  But Elli had seen the video and knew the directions.  And we had a blast making them together; many times her quick to remind me or educate Ethan (who didn't get to see the cooking movie) of the next step.  We may cook together, via the internet, more often!  

 

 Guilty of snitching as we cook

 All of us were guilty!

 The peanut butter balls didn't turn out as picture perfect as I remember Sandie Anderson's being, but you can tell we all enjoyed making them!

And then this recipe is too good not to share.  We had the special treat of sweet potatoes (sold once a year in the capitol) bought for us and delivered by a friend.  Combined with the bag of black beans that made it in our shipment, this is such a yummy soup.  It's very flavorful (Elli didn't love it) and honestly gets better the next day.  I hope you try it and enjoy it!

Black Bean Soup with Sweet Potatoes
2T. oil
2 medium yellow onions
3 medium cloves garlic, chipped
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
1/4t aniseed
2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
4 15 1/2 oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into medium dice
plain yogurt and lime for garnish


It is pretty self-explanatory recipe.  Saute the onions until soft.  Then add all the spices and sautee briefly.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer until sweet potatoes are tender.  Blend all but 3 cups of the soup, combining the blended and non-blended to serve.  So tasty!

Baby's got back!

Monday was a local friend's birthday and we all went out to eat lunch at our favourite restaurant.  I was sitting inside the corner shop, chatting with the shop keeper and waiting on my ride.  This shop keeper is the most gregarious and expressive woman I've met in a tightly wrapped head scarf.  We talk often, as it's my go-to spot, in walking distance, for some of the basics.  This was the conversation on Monday:

Shop keeper: "Have you  had another sonogram?"
Me: "No"
Shop keeper: "And they said you were having a boy?"
Me: "Yes"

Shop keeper: "They are wrong."
Me: "Really, how do you know?"
Shop keeper: "Well you've just gotten a little bit fat.  And it's not so much in your belly.  It is in your backside.  And if you get a big backside, you're having a girl."
Me: (long pause, searching for a culturally appropriate response, yet feeling slightly offended). "Oh, now I'm bummed/sad/discouraged (otherwise emotionally ambiguous)."
Shopkeeper: "Don't be sad.  You wanted a girl right, to play with Elli?  Your backside will get smaller after the baby comes."

Oh the possible conversations in a day!  You know I had to ask my friends over lunch if it was true.  We concluded that under at least 4 layers, how can we really tell?

Sledding at the ruins

The snows continued coming, not always sticking, but it has been snowing quite a bit.  After 2 days of snow, without much accumulation to count for it, and the weather calling for sunny days ahead, we made a quick run to the Ancient ruins up by our house for a quick sledding adventure.  And everyone had a blast. 

 Elias sporting his snow pants and intrigued by the gloves

 Elli, always eager to exuberantly celebrate life!

Sometimes I look around and find it hard to believe I live where I do.

It looks like Ethan's off to conquer some Black Diamonds, on his sled. 

Bracing for the thrill that keeps them asking for one more hill!

Can't believe how much he looks like his Dad and his Papa Frank!

 

The look of accomplishment.  Conquered the slopes!

In the seeds

In a small side conversation on one of our Thanksgiving skypes we were discussing the fruit trees in our yard, and this years crop of 10 persimmons.  Dan asked if we had heard about the telling sign of the persimmon seed.  Apparently if the seed is shaped like a spoon, we'll be shovelling lots of snow this winter.  If it's like a knife, we'll be chopping away at a lot of ice.  There was also a seed shape telling of a mild winter, but I can't remember what that one was.

Several days later, I enjoyed a persimmon (Elias and I are really the only ones in the family who like them).  It had snowed again and I was curious to see what was in the seeds.

 They look like spoons to me!  (I tried to capture the snow in the background, but unfortunately you can't see it.)

So this has become a common afternoon activity; hot tea and a board game inside where it's warmer.  Apparently in the month of November, we had more moisture (rain and snow) than we did all last winter.

I shared the signs of the seeds with 2 local friends.  I honestly thought they would have something similar as "old women talk" (literal translation of what we call old wives tales back in the States) is prevalent.  But they had never heard it.  They've come back to report seeing more spoon shaped seeds and have shared what it means with others.  Oh that seeds of Truth would spread so quickly!

Our Live Christmas Card!

This was today's creative notion!  They came into the kitchen all ready for their "play!"  The set up for the show is about as great as the actual presentation, but I thought I'd shorten it for viewing purposes. 

Hope you are getting in the spirit of Christmas too!  We sure are!

Getting in the Spirit!

We put our Christmas tree up the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  It's a little earlier than usual, but with such an early onset to winter, Christmas music and the tree sure make it a lot more bearable.  We will also take the tree down right after Christmas, as we'll probably leave for the capitol on the 27th. 

 Elias discovering the Fisher Price Nativity Scene.  The cow is his favourite "character" and he is often found carrying it throughout the kitchen, moo-ing.  He also likes to put everyone on top of the stable.

 Ethan and Daddy working together to set up the tree.

 The final product.  If you notice much of the bottom third (in Elias' reach) is bare.  Don't know what that says of our parenting style?  The only disappointment was to find none of our lights working.  And you really can't find them here.  So we have friends hunting 220V Christmas lights in Turkey for next Christmas.  This year, the tinsel is the back up.   

 Elias enjoying all the excitement.  I just can't believe how much he's growing and changing!  And check out those hands . .  they're big and great at grabbing! (and throwing!)

The day before Thanksgiving, Ethan got the idea to put on a Christmas play.  He took on the rolls of Joseph, the wise men and shepherds.  Elli was Mary, complete with baby Jesus in her belly at one point and a "popped right out" delivery!  Elias got selected for the sheep, "cause he can say 'ba.'  I honestly enjoyed the little production and didn't get the camera until later.  Sorry, for no action shots, cause believe me there was action!

 Mary and Joseph

Mary, complete with facial paint from a project earlier that afternoon, and baby Jesus tucked inside my kitchen floor bucket with an array of leaves.  

Creativity is definitely not lacking!  It brought such joy to my heart to see how Jesus' story is being written into the hearts of my kiddos.  And, they want to share it!

Our Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving, celebrating with 2 other American families and Ethan's new teacher (YEAH!!!) that live in town.  We had lots of yummy treats, complete with paper plates, canned cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes that our friends from Arkansas brought out to us.  That was a wonderful blessing, just being able to throw the dishes away!

We started the holiday festivities with soup together on Wednesday night.  When your English speaking relationships are limited to such a few number, you inherit a lot of things from one another; sometimes one another's traditions.  We shared pots of chili, potato and pasta fagioli soup.  I was delegated the "inspiration" soup (which is fun for me!)  I learned how to make my own Italian Sausage, using ground beef, and was happy with how the frozen zucchini from our garden turned out!  I also made some Spiced Pumpkin Bars (with cream cheese we found in the capitol in October and I've been saving for a special occasion!) and Peppermint Patty Brownies.

 One of my delegated dinner elements was the dinner rolls.  I guess you could say I love the Wilton Silicone muffin "cups."  I think I made over 45 rolls!

 E and J found a Turkey in the capitol; not the traditionally large American bird, but we all enjoyed slices.  Austin got deemed the carver.

 A highlight for our family was watching the K-State vs. Texas A&M game.  The sound didn't download the best, it just required some fidgeting, and we didn't have K-State's last possession of the game, but it sure felt like a true Thanksgiving, getting to watch some good football!

We all really missed family this Thanksgiving.  In the course of Thanksgiving week, I think we skyped or called family at least 5 or 6 times.  Having recently been back, it's hard to know a new what you are missing out on!  We are so blessed to have the family He has given us; both there and here!

Getting bigger!

 It has been a while since I've posted pictures of the kids.  Gogo has been asking for some, and has been very patient in the waiting.  So I thought I'd share with everyone!  They sure grow up fast!

Elli, playing dress up, with her 12 year old "best friend!"

 Elias just had 3 random teeth pop through.  I'm hoping that will bring an end to the diarrhea.  He's walking everywhere and is talking his little gibberish all the time! 

 My BIG boy!  I'm just amazed at how big he's getting.  He's grown over 2 inches since we arrived in the end of March.  He's really taking off with reading, which is fun to watch. 

Cheering on the Cats!  Ethan has decided that he can love both "Whoo, Pig Suey" (AR Razorbacks) and the Wildcats.  I think the guy can perceive more of the family loyalties than we all realize!  They sure keep my heart and my days full!    Hard to believe another is coming sooner than we think! 

The belly shot

20 weeks, again!  Nothing like repeating a milestone you thought you already conquered! :)  But this is me and baby E at 20 weeks!  This little one is moving more and more inside me, which is always fun!  I'm at the point now where it is clear, even in my corta, that I'm pregnant! 

Baby E's first pictures!

Rubbing his face or sucking his thumb for much of the sonogram!

5 minutes before going into my ultrasound appointment I leaned over and told T, (yes, she got to come with me to the sonogram and I was THRILLED!) that I was 95% confident this was a little girl.  My pregnancy thus far just felt so similar to Ellianna's. 

As I recounted my pregnancy stats; LMP, change in fatigue/nausea, first fetal movement, I was equally as confident that February 29th was the due date.  "I'm 22 weeks along" I explained. 

This pregnancy and the little life that is growing within me continues to be a call to surrender in my plans and expectations.  Within the first 2 minutes the Dr. confidently announced that we will be having our 3rd SON!  By the end of the sonogram, measurements carefully taken, she told me that I was rather just barely 19 weeks along. 

The dwindling girl population on our team (one other sweet girl who is 12) and the fact that all of our neighbor kids are little boys had Elli and I really routing for a little girl.  Apparently she cried for quiet some time when Austin told her the news.

And I've all but wanted to cry.  Adding 3 more weeks to a pregnancy is never fun.  Especially when you go past due date typically.  Remember little Elias, born at 42 weeks?  Kind of feels like I get to do those weeks over again! 

So we've tucked our girl name list to the back of my journal and are prayerfully considering what name God has for this gift.  Meanings of names are very important to me and open doors to spiritual conversations in the culture in which we live.  Right now it feels like "the Lord will surprise" would be a meaning true to where I'm at.  Praise God that His plans are so much greater, for my life and the life of our son!  3 boys; I guess we are working towards our own mini football team!   

Impromptu Halloween

5 minutes our from their arrival at our home, Nathan and Duncan called to let us know they would be stopping by to "Trick-r-Treat."  And my kiddos aren't for being left out of the fun.  Quick donning of dress up clothes and a swapping of special treats brought in from our American friends . . . and it was Halloween.  So different from last year, helping plan the Kindergarten class' "Fall Party."  Different worlds and different seasons. 

 The little poser: "To Infinity and Beyond!"

And then some pumpkin carving fun.  They were showing their Jack-o-lantern smiles!

It will be funny to take the carved pumpkins to the neighbor cow when it comes time to dispose of them.  How exactly do you explain why we do this?

Frantic Guest Preperations

This was my frantic preparation to try and get life ready for 2 weeks of back to back visitors from the States.  One of the things I greatly miss (and I'll be honest, on many days I have to fight coveting) is a dryer and a laundry room.  I tell Austin often, "when we retire I want a home with a space to fold my laundry!"  Probably by that point I'll only be folding for 2 of us and not (almost) 6.  The stateside visitors went great and all the work preparing beforehand was well worth it.  What I didn't know when I started those preparations was that:

•  Both my house helpers would leave town, leaving me without the extra hands I was planning on.
• All 3 of my kiddos would get sick the day between one group leaving and the next coming
• Our water would be incredibly inconsistent, some times drying up completely, during our second week of guests.

Yet, Father knew all those things long before they happened.  We (all 11 of us at times) were warm, well fed and encouraged.  I'm so grateful that each of them came. 

And now, we are back to tackling the laundry!

It's a ball being one!

Elias turned one on October 1st (and we actually celebrated that day; I'm just blogging about it way after the fact!)  We celebrated on his actual birthday with our American friends and then had a co-Osh (local celebration) with the son in our host family on the following day; he turned 11.  At one I don't know how much they understand of what is going on; it's almost more fun to watch the excitement coming out of big brother and big sister!  Of course, they were present and very much a part of each present opening, singing and blowing out the candles.

This year seems to have really flown by; it's hard to believe he is already one!  He's taking 2-3 tentative steps but is eager to get that figured out quick.  He loves to give hugs and kisses and is eager to initiate that loving!  He squeals when he sees friends or siblings and is always eager to play with them.  He loves to throw his milk cup and Daddy says he has quite the arm! 

Elias, I LOVE YOU!!!

Celebrating Success!

Life has been more than a little full these days.  Within the last week we've moved out of over half our house for our landlord to host a party to then move back in again; ripped up a molded and rotting floor out of our children's bedroom; which Austin and E worked hard to replace; Austin has attended 7 hours of language class; attended a 3 hour local party in total darkness (cause the electricity was out) and tried to keep our kids sane; and much more.  I also did a BIG canning week; 19 L (that is roughly equivalent to 19 pints) of Bread and Butter Pickles and then 9L of salsa. 

So you ask, what success are we celebrating?  We all still love each other!  The picture is of the kids with all the canned goods lined up and ready to be carried down into our root cellar.  Among all the other things of the week, canning in such quantity can be a little stressful.  Yes, I'm glad I got the canning done.  No doubt it will help this winter when cucumbers and tomatoes are no where to be found.  And hopefully I'll be able to share with my friend T whose missed all of the canning season.  But more than that, I'm celebrating that my family and I made good memories working together.  And we love each other after it all. 

A little time away

We took a 4 day trip to the Capitol last week for a little time out of town.  The first time, other than camping, that I've left our little rural corner of the world.  The travel was a little rough -see previous post.  And Ethan is already trying to come up with ways to stay home when we leave the country to have our baby in Turkey (we'll be gone for close to 8 weeks time) just so he doesn't have to ride on the road!  But the time in the capitol was so wonderful.

Lots of good family time.  We enjoyed multiple meals out; which for this mama a break from 3 meals from scratch/day was such a gift.  The guest house has a room with AC, and it's amazing how much better you sleep in AC!  There were many points throughout the time where my kids and Austin played around me, while mom crashed out (like mouth open, zonked out kind of crashed out) for a nap!  Didn't realize I was as tired as I was.

Austin and I snuck away for a 9 year anniversary dinner thanks to some loving teammates who came to town early just to watch our kiddos!  For Wichita readers, it was as close to a date at Il Vicino as you can get; minus the amazing Mango tea!  (Anyone know if they sell that stuff?)  It is refreshing for my heart to enjoy things that are aesthetically pleasing to my cultural eye!  I'm not even all out aesthetically geared, but I do notice and it does start to have it's impact.  The food was good, the conversation good.  And again, more air conditioning.

I didn't take many pictures, but here are a couple of time together playing puzzles.  I think I shot the pictures . . . and then crashed out for a nap! :)

 

Brothers doing puzzles together!  Elias doesn't want to miss out. 

 

 Elli showing her "modern art" interpretation of Nemo.  Who says the rules of puzzle making are that all the pieces have to go together only one way?  This little girl has the drama pose down.  And don't tell me those eyes to say something!

We also got to see a Dr. and have a sonogram of baby E.  We were able to see the little heartbeat fluttering, which is so encouraging.  The sonogram gave us a different due date, with a month discrepancy.  But we are choosing to disregard it based on the quality of the technology used.  :)  Hopefully we'll head back for another sonogram the end of September; though Ethan will choose to stay home on account of the road.

All in all a great trip! 

First Haircut

She's been begging for a haircut.  I think because it's been really hot and her head just sweats.  And without the good ol' Kansas humidity her longer curls don't curl up, they just frizz.  So we tried to go to a salon in the Capitol last week when we were there. 

Probably Mommy's bad timing, in that we made the appointment for 30 minutes after we rolled into town from our 6 hour over the Mountains trek, in 106F plus temps with not much ac to speak of.  Kept thinking we'd stop in the shade and there never was shade to stop in.  Ethan threw up, Elli almost did and Elias just laid motionless in his car seat with the look of "Mommy, what are you doing to me."  Probably should have done chicken nuggets first, then the first hair cut. 

Anyway, she refused.  So we left the Capitol without a haircut.  (The trip back was MUCH better in the Pajero- with full functioning ac and amazing shocks)

So after some you tube research.  Mommy tried.

 And this is what we ended up with!

 

 So glad curly hair is forgiving.  It hides all the places it's not quite even. :) 

 The fun part, is that the cut really fits her spunky little spirit.  And our local friends like it too.   

First Response

It was actually far from my first response.  It was more my, "just in case" before we went camping response.  I don't know if I'd recommend taking a pregnancy test hours before you go on a rustic camping adventure.  It yielded  a distracted and flooded mama for much of the trip.  Cause, yes, it tested POSITIVE!  We were shocked.  Austin and I just kind of sat there, stunned,looking at each other.

I wish I could say my first response was worship and praise, but honestly it was a flooding response of anxiety and doubt.  Austin's first response was one of disbelief; "The test is old, right?  Surely it's wrong." 

Since taking the test, Father has gently lead my heart through the excitement, fear, anticipation and even grief (having 2 little ones in the world I live in will greatly limit what I can do outside the 4 walls of our yard).  He's used Laura Story's "Bless the Lord" over and over to lead my heart.  It's true "He gives and takes away . . . for He alone can see the secret parts of me that need to be swept away."  I am confident that in the arrival of a fourth little gift He will refine and shape me in ways He wouldn't have without this new life.   

So, February 29th (not that I anticipate an Amershek baby arriving on time) we'll welcome a 4th little Amershek baby into our home.  Until then, I plan to soak up the moments with baby number 3; I feel like his baby days will in someways be shortened in becoming a big brother so quickly.  

Now We are Six!

Ethan celebrated his 6th birthday in style.  This was the first year he picked his menu for all 3 meals of the day, which was fun.  I don't think he knew enough options or cared before this year.  So breakfast was eggs, toast and pears (new favorites from the menu at the huge sleep over before our friends left for Turkey); lunch was crunch tacos (or mom's closest attempt); and dinner was yummy chicken (Rosemary Ranch Kebobs out of the River Cookbook. AMAZING!) and fresh green beans delivered that day from the capitol!

Special treats and surprises were splattered throughout the day: 

 

Package surprises from Gogo, Babu, and the Sapps.  

The Monster Truck was a great preview of things to come. 

 Skype call with Grandma Vickie, Michala, Emily and Lauren 

complete with balloons, fireworks and singing.

 Our attempt at crunchy tacos.  Ezra and Silas joined us for lunch and Lego 

building all afternoon.  Gotta celebrate new Legos with your buddies!

 The presentation of the Monster Truck cake, complete with wheels and suspension (put together by Daddy using Christmas present pieces from the Sapps- Thanks!)  Love the looks of surprise.

 The artist and her work.  Remember this dress.  Guess I need to buy a new one before next year. 

That's some good blowing!

I think it was a special day.  Can't believe that he is already 6!

More pictures for those who can handle them:

Ethan's Birthday