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!!!