Things I thought I'd never do

Lately there has been a list of things that we have adopted/started doing and I would never have guessed we would do them.  I thought I'd share some of them. 

1. Start up "windowsill farming."

This was our bumper crop of persimmons.  Last year we had 8 total and this year we had closer to 60.  Persimmons are better the riper they are, so we ripened them in the windowsill.  Any recipes for persimmons?  I've got cups of puree frozen in my freezer.

 

 

Elli polishing our apples from our huge apple harvest. 

The apple tree in our yard yielded a lot of apples this year.  I don't know what kind of apples they are, but here they describe them as "winter apples," if stored properly they'll last into the winter.  So we picked, polished and carefully packed boxes of apples into our outside kitchen.  Again the "Ma Ingles" feeling washed over me.  After canning 30 kg (66lbs) of apples for applesauce, the option to store and enjoy fresh apples into the winter was so promising.  A week after storing them, I checked on the apples.  I found an apple in the box almost half eaten with large gnawing marks; telling that a fat rat had rained on my Laura Ingles moment.  I was pretty grossed out and upset about it.  We couldn't figure out another solution that would allow good air circulation to keep the apples fresh but keep rats from getting to them. 

We decided to move them into our large guesting room and store them on the window sills.  The room is in the shade and stays incredibly cool.  No evidence of rats and we still have a handful of apples to finish off.  

With the help of a team of 5 women from Richmond, I canned 50 kgs (110lbs)  of tomatoes this fall.  Yet I knew this wouldn't be enough to get us through the winter.  I honestly was out of canning energy; it was probably the applesauce that did me in.  One Saturday morning in November, I was out with Elli and Elias and saw some grandmas in town from a neighboring village.  One was selling buckets of green tomatoes.  I bought all she had, 20 more kgs.  And you guessed it, they ended up in my window sills.  Those 20 kgs have slowly ripened and I've used them in soups and spaghetti.  My strategy has been to delay opening my canned tomatoes as long as I can.  And so far it's worked.  I haven't needed to use my canned tomatoes yet, so we should make it until fresh come out close to May. The kids have requested hamburgers tomorrow and I think we'll use one of our last tomatoes as garnish. 

2. Dress my boys in tights (though we call them "long socks" to soften the blow).  They are the best long underwear ever for small ones.  It keeps the socks on, and in Ezekiel's case, the chubby calves covered.  His little calves pour over the top of his socks and are never covered by his pants.  Long socks are the perfect solution!  We find them locally and they have pictures of dump trucks, motorcycles and race cars on them.  Which makes it much more convincing for the little boys wearing them. 

Elias modeling a pair of long socks

Two brothers in their socks

They're going to be good buddies and will more than likely keep Mom hopping with all the mischief they discover together!

  3. Wear a bathrobe with matching sweats out in public.  It is one of the acceptable options for winter dressing here.  And with the investment of $45, I'm walking the streets in my bathrobe!  It is complete with sequins spelling out "Romeo Life" and a styling silhouette of a girl and her poodle.  When I saw these pictures I laughed out loud.  I told Austin it's funny to think that wearing this outfit is my form fitting option.  And yet it is still bulky and has me looking as large as a barn. 

 4. Sweep my kitchen floor out my front door.  Over top of our concrete kitchen floor, we've laid a carpet for the winter.  The floor crumbs are real.  Instead of using a broom and dustpan, I've adopted the local solution of just sweeping it out the door.  Most dustpans don't rest flat on the floor, which can prove frustrating.  And the little birds are quick to pick at the crumbs. 

The crumbs collecting at the door.  I did pick up the paper/crafting trash before I swept the rest out the door.  

5. Buy local long johns.  Leapord print and all, and I love them.  The microfleece lining makes them super warm.  They are one size fits all, so the inseam is a little short.  But for $6, I can't complain!  Don't have a photo, and don't know if I'd post if it I did.

Just thought I'd share some of the new solutions to life we've discovered lately.  

My Christmas present from Jesus

Thanks to all for praying for our power.  I was finishing up preparations for our Christmas Eve dinner when we had a knock at the door.  2 electricians from the electric department were there to check on our second line.  After calling our landlord daily for almost a week, I was starting to doubt that anything would happen.  That morning the thought crossed my mind "What if they did come in time for Christmas?"  Rather than my far to "usual" response of dismissing it, I chose to surrender it to Jesus.  "If they come or not, You are still good.  You are still enough." 

Once I realized who was at the gate, I started praying out loud from my kitchen window.  Blessings on their hands, their work, their families.  That they would come in the cold at the end of their long day, to help me.  Gratitude spilled over. 

My poor kids were all geared up to open presents.  And it was put on hold.  I assured them that waiting would be worth it and it wouldn't take long.  The problem wasn't directly on our roof.  Austin walked with them, following the line down the road to where it was corroded.  They made a quick fix, but explained the line will need to be replaced.  Not long after Austin came into the kitchen to explain we were on the second line and it was working!  Oh the joyful dancing that broke out in the kitchen . . . on my part.  He's more the reserved realist.  It won't last all winter, it will need replaced.  But for now, we've had power all night long since Monday. 

Christmas morning we had a great call with my parents and then a leisurely breakfast.  I was sitting in my rocking chair putting Zeke down for his nap, at 10 a.m., when the power went off for the day.  I can't explain the joy that filled my heart.  For weeks the power has gone off at 8 a.m., on the dot.  Yet Christmas morning, while still on our normal line of power, we had it 2 extra hours.  2 extra hours to open stockings with lights on.  Extra hours so I could take a shower with water and electricity at the same time (cause we do shower by headlamp if the water is on!).  2 extra hours of sheer Grace! 

And in a place where no one acknowledges His birthday, I know it wasn't on behalf of my celebration.  It wasn't cause someone decided to be nice.  It was because the gracious hand of the Almighty Father, saw a mama's frail heart and poured out grace.  I could almost feel His smile over me.

That night as we prayed together as a family, we celebrated that with lights or without them; with all the fun holiday food or without it . . .the best part of Christmas is that He came to be with us.  And He has not left us alone. 

Prayer for the second line

It's been a week and a half now that our second power line hasn't been working.  We've known this line was an extra gift of God's grace.  At the beginning of electricity rationing this fall, it meant we still had power during the days.  As the days grew colder, it changed to only 2 extra day time hours.  But we still had power all night long.  I didn't realize how much that helped, until it stopped working.  The power was never very strong, but we'd switch over to our second line before bed and it would keep our three electric heaters running all night long.

Three nights ago, at the end of a very cold week, we woke up to 45F in our bedroom.  The power has been going out at 10:30 and coming on around 4:30 or 5 a.m.  Without fail, Zeke wakes up when the power goes out, and then through the night when he's cold.  To light the gas heaters (that aren't safe to leave on all night) often wakes at least one child.  And then Elias wakes up every morning when the electricity returns, and has been making his way to our bed.  We are slowly figuring out a rhythm, but I'll be honest, I'd rather not limp along this way all winter long!

We've called everyone we know to call and so finally today 2 older men who were for the electric company showed up.  Of course I was home alone with the kids when they finally came.  A woman's word here is useless.  They looked at our electric box and assured me the power would come.  I told them it hadn't come, that it was broken up the line.  He told me he fixed the line last night.  I told them I had 2 babies and that our landlord won't allow us to burn a wood or coal heater, as it would ruin the walls.  How am I to keep my babies warm and from getting sick?  The old man looked me in the eye, patted my shoulder and said "Don't be afraid, the power will come."

We flipped the breaker tonight to the other line, and there is no power.  Nothing has changed.  I would love for you to pray for me!  Pray that the line would be fixed, yes!  Pray that if it's not, He would give us great strength and perseverance to make it through long, cold and dark nights.  Pray for our marriage; as you can imagine, bitter, cold sleepless nights are far from romantic.  But pray too for my heart.  Right now, I feel lied to.  To share honestly my desperation to keep my children warm and well and have a man tell me a flat out lie is hard!  I honestly just want to harden up and pull back.  Pray for me that I don't. 

Cutting teeth and all it's process!

I’ve taken quite the blogging break.  As of late, 2 of my friends here have encouraged me to take it back up again.  It’s funny that we live in the same town and see each other multiple times a week, but they read my blog.  I process things out more when I have opportunity to sit down and write it all out.  It’s not to read my blog that they’ve encouraged me to start it back up; they know it helps me process; it helps me pull back from the demands of life and look hard for Jesus and what he is doing in and around me.  Look hard for the messages He is writing, though sometimes it feels more like carving, on my heart.  So I’m going to try.  There have been countless blog entries I’ve written in my brain.  I don’t know if I’ll back track or not, we’ll see what time, electricity and internet allow. 

I left off at “And now there’s Four,” that was before Zeke was even 1 month old.  Now he’s pushing 9 months; pulling up on everything and blabbering lots (though right now he’s miserably sick and just doing a lot of clinging to Mama).   

His first two teeth have come through, and started to make their appearance right around Thanksgiving.   Life with four has been incredibly stretching for me.  Most days I feel like I can’t do the minimum of life’s demands, let alone anything extra.  Thanksgiving was quickly growing all consuming; what yummy goodies would I make out of how many substitution ingredients?  Oh and of course create a Thanksgiving focused lesson or 2 for homeschool.  But with this baby I’ve learned new culture things.  

 If Aobistani culture does anything really well (and they do many things well) they celebrate it up when it comes to stages of life.  My personal opinion is that’s because of such high infant mortality.  Babies cut there tooth here and you make a special kind of Osh using wheat berries and deliver it to all your neighbors and relatives.  I had set in my heart I wanted to do it; wanted to take this opportunity to lean in and be more like those that live around me.   Of course I resolved to do so, before I knew he would cut his teeth around Thanksgiving.  When I shared with my teammates that this was something I wanted to do, I was reminded that “it will probably mean more to you that you do it like them, than it will mean to them” and it really was true. 

Thursday we had a wonderful all day Thanksgiving celebration with our American friends.  Sorry no pictures to prove it.  And Friday, we served up and delivered the Osh.  But the Osh was much more of a process than I would have anticipated.  It took us, Auntie (our new house worker) and me, all week to prepare it.  But it was such a great process for me.  Through each step of the process, God had little messages for my heart.  

This is Auntie

First we picked through the wheat, slowly examining one handful at a time for rocks or stray lentils.  These 8 months, with 4 young kids have provided ample opportunity for God to pick through my heart and character, removing rocks and stray bad attitudes all along the way.  Day two, we ground and washed the wheat. We ground the 4.5 pounds of wheat by hand in a mortar and pestle ¼ cup at a time.  Around a table cloth on the floor, Auntie and I (with Elli and Elias occasionally pitching in) separated the husks off the wheat.  Hours later, with sore hands, we washed the wheat and placed it on the same cloth in front of a heater to slowly dry.  In retrospect, with a little space and time, I’m so grateful to God for His loving attentive sanctification of me in this season.  There is a lot more of “this season” of small children to go, but over the mortal and pestle He spoke sweetly to my heart of His desire to use these hard days, these stretching days to remove the bitter husks on my heart.  Day three, Thanksgiving afternoon, my teammates helped me on the second round of grinding; taking the dry wheat berries one more time through the mortar and pestle to remove more of the remaining husks.  We talked, washed dishes and ground wheat. 

 
Friday morning we lit the fire by 8:30 a.m., cause we had to cook it in a large pot for hours and hours. 

Potatoes, carrots, onions, 1.5 kg of beef, a liter of oil, and a lot of water.  What you gain in the wheat you lose in the oil.  By around 2 p.m. the osh was ready to serve and deliver.  

Oh how flattering all the layers of winter dressing are.  I swear, I'm not quite this hourglass in form! :)

I quickly carried it, large plate by plate, to my surrounding neighbors; up the road to Ethan’s teacher and school director; Austin delivered by vehicle to those who lived further away.  Though the greetings were short and the plate of hot osh was quickly passed, in my heart I celebrated.  God has faithfully brought me this far!  My neighbors know; they heard Zeke’s middle of the night screaming fits when his guts hurt so bad and there was nothing I could do to help him.  They know how many party invitations I’ve passed on because I have little ones at home and can’t attend.  Ethan’s teacher and director have experienced firsthand all my cultural blunders, the various times Ethan arrives at school unaware of what he was supposed to have or wear.  His mama’s been stretched thin.  My dear friends and teammates have listened to my heart pourings and have seen the struggle and labor of it all.  They have loved and walked with me.  Yet, He is so faithful and what He has begun in me, He will complete.  Even in the hardness of it, may I see His tender touch at work in me!

Now there are four

Isn't it crazy to think all that is packed into a newborn body?  All the potential, the individuality, the talents, likes, dislikes and more.  It's the re-occuring question these days; who does Ezekiel look like?  I honestly don't know.  But even more fun to think about is what will Ezekiel be like?  6 1/2 years is our oldest, and there is so much depth and breadth to who he is.  Way more than I ever dreamed I would know when he was just 10 days old.  That's one of my favorite things about my kiddos; each has their very own unique personality.  There is no doubt they are fearfully and wonderfully made!  And I'm blessed to get to know them. 

 Ethan

 Ellianna

 Elias

Ezekiel

The Four!

Gogo and Babu Time!

In the waiting for his arrival, in the welcoming and the partying afterwards, we had great times with Babu and Gogo while they visited us in Turkey!

The day before my mom arrived, the kids and I did a grocery run.  They know their Gogo and insisted on buying ice cream and ice cream cones to have for our first lunch together. 

And you can see the ice cream cones were heartily welcomed by all members of the family!  

We LOVE ice cream!

 We waited to celebrate Elli's 4th birthday until Gogo arrived. 
 Doing eachother's "make-up" was only one of the ways Gogo
joined in the fun!

 Lots and lots of reading!  By the end of her time here, Elias would pick a book and take it to her to read to him.  Regardless of if she was working on something else!

 Often twice a day trips to the park directly outside our apartment, Gogo and Babu joined in all kinds of fun and watched as Ethan, Elli and Elias all learned new skills and games at the park. 

 

 We adventured together on the ferry and around town, and experimented with various types of local food!

 

 We celebrated Ezekiel's arrival in Amershek style, with donuts; chocolate, cream-filled, covered in sprinkles!

 And of course, family fun nights together!  Enjoying ordered in Papa John's pizza (AMAZING!), popcorn and a movie!

Thank you Babu and Gogo for coming and being a part of our world!  We love and miss you already!

Ezekiel has arrived!

Want to make sure the word gets out along with some much anticipated pictures!  Ezekiel is finally here.  We're soaking up the time together and enjoying God's precious gift!

Still waiting

I don't really know how far along I am.  It could be anywhere from 38 weeks and 5 days, 39 weeks and 5 days, or overdue.  So today was the Dr's appointment.  Everything looks good and healthy.  He's growing just fine and seems to be enjoying the space that he's claimed within me.  She stripped my membranes and Austin and I have already done some time walking the steep inclines that surround our apartment.  But I'm doing my best to fight the urge to "fit it into the formula."  Labor started with both Elli and Elias within hours of having my membranes stripped. 

So, in efforts to stay encouraged, I went over to my friend's blog.  This is what I'm "preaching" to myself:

But more of my reasons (why I wait) are tied to what I believe to be true of God and myself.  In choosing to wait, I am believing that God is intimately involved in this child's formation and the timing of his birth (convenient or not).  I am believing that God has created my body well.  I am believing that God is incomprehensibly good and that He does not withhold good from His children (even if discomfort is involved).  I am believing that one of my most serious problems as a member of the human race is my propensity to chase after my own comfort apart from God.  That's ultimately what sin is, right?  I am believing that hope and perseverance are cultivated in times of waiting and feeling out of control.  And I am believing that God desires to meet me intimately in this unique place of waiting and longing for what is to come.  It's about much of the Gospel, really.

Hoping to post baby pictures soon!  Until then, believing God!

Today's thought

"It takes Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator. . . It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, than it does to preach the Gospel. . . We flag when there is no vision, no uplift, but the common round, the trivial task.  The thing that tells in the long run for God and for men is the steady persevering work in the unseen, and the only way to keep the life uncrushed is to live looking to God."  Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest"

I'm stuck in the waiting game.  Waiting for baby E's arrival.  For many reasons, it is easy to feel like I'm stuck in the trivial and the common.  Oh that my soul life would persevere, uncrushed, ever looking to Jesus!

Elli turns 4!

Elli turned 4 on the 20th, but we waited to celebrate until Gogo arrived to celebrate together.  And in her mind, she didn't turn 4 (regardless of date) until she blew her candles out.  She chose her meals; waffles with strawberries for breakfast and "chicken and crunchy bread."





I have determined that I am not a cake decorator.  It is so stressful to try and make these masterpieces to match the dreams and expectations of my kiddos.  Luckily she turned out at all; she baked for at least 2 hours (in a new to me oven); we couldn't find food coloring at the store, so we used writing icing to color our frosting; the entire top of the cake (the part with the dents and details) came off in the pan.  My kids are gracious when the cake doesn't turn out quite like the picture.  But I sure wish I had thought through what I was setting myself up for when I started the birthday cake tradition with the Lighting McQueen birthday cake!

The bleeding Lightning McQueen cake that started all of this!

There were several fun gifts as we celebrated Elli's birthday:

• To have a Grandparent here, even when we leave so far away.
• A Strawberry Shortcake Pan; borrowed from a friend of Gogo's after a post on facebook
• Lots of dear girl friends to celebrate with; friends that we know from home and have missed so much.
• Fresh strawberries for a little girl that has been dreaming of a Strawberry Shortcake birthday since the week after her 3rd birthday.  
• Gifts sent from family and friends back in the States.
• Special pictures, with birthday signs and balloons, from her buddies back in the Valley.  

She definitely felt celebrated and loved on.  Happy Birthday Elli!

Keeping math fun!

We're trying to faithfully chug along in home-school, knowing that when the baby comes we may need an extended spring break!  One of the little units we've been doing is pictographs.  I deviated from the examples in the teacher's book.  Why not do math about Darth Vader's light sabers?

He did find it more interesting that his facial expression captures!

Of course Ethan had to have the most!

Instant growth spurt

Remember the shaggy mullet?  Right before we left the capitol, I successfully found some scissors and Elias got his first big boy haircut.  No more hair, lapping over the top of his collar.  It's amazing how fast a little hair cut can change a baby to a big boy! 

 And he started sitting with us at the table.  Up until now, he's been too eager to dump his plate.  So he's been sitting back away from the table as we've slowly placed things on his tray.  He sure loved being big enough to sit at the table like his brother and sister.  Bummer where we are now only has a high chair; one step forward, two steps back. 

Look at that hair free neckline!

Leaving on a jet plane

Weather permitting, cause yes it is snowing again, we are planning to fly out at 5:30 Monday morning for Istanbul.  And we'll be in a new, temporary living situation.  Would appreciate your prayers for the travel (Elias will be on Austin's lap- not a very comfortable 5 hours in the early morning hours) as well as the initial days of getting life settled and set up there!  I'll try and blog there, though it does require some new "hoops" to do so.  So we'll see how it goes. 

Quotables

There have just been too many funny things that have been said in life, I had to share them.

1. We've been eating Osh every Tuesday lunch at the office.  I've tried to bring something for the table, to help stretch the food; since my kiddos can eat their weight in Osh.  The Grandma type that helps cook and clean the office always goes on and on about how I'm so "heavy" (the local way of saying "very pregnant") and should not bring anything.  This week, however, she announced to the table that I had brought the chocolate cake to celebrate her new dentures!

2. We're sharing the guest house with an older guy, here on his own.  He matches my stereotype of a rough cowboy (more the Southwest kind of cowboy than the Texan) with lots of epic stories.  Elli, is her own very strong communicator.  Yesterday in the kitchen, while Glen was talking, Elli asked "Are you talking to me or yourself?"  His reply "Well, are you listening?"  "Yes."  "Then I guess I'm talking to you!"

3.  In response to Ethan saying he was excited to play with Keller V. Elli says "Mmmm, he is a handsome boy.

4. Several weeks ago, when we were living with a young couple without kids, we were sitting around the dinner table listening to them tell a story.  They were co-telling the story, taking turn filling in gaps in the details.  Ethan and Elli were intrigued by their style of telling and both explained "You shouldn't interrupt each other!"

5. After the family sonogram viewing, we were talking about what they saw of the baby.  Elli explained, "Mommy, it was hard to see.  I don't think the light was on."  To which we responded, "Do you think Mommy has a light in her tummy?"  The logic of her comment dawned on her and she just started laughing.

6. Also following the sonogram, Elli explained to our guest house friend Glen;"Did you know that Ethan and I were good babies in mommy's belly.  We had our head's in the right way.  Elias and baby E are disobeyers and their head isn't in the right place."  I was kind of nervous where this story would go, but luckily it ended here. 

7.  I told Elli she had to stay in bed for her nap until the clock said 2:22.  At 2:17 she came in to tell me "Mommy, I think the other 2's got lost."

Cold Snow Days

I think it has snowed at least once every week this winter, but last week it just dumped 7 inches and every night the temperatures ranged between 5-9F.  Our first week alone in the guest house, was a cold one.  Lots of time inside and only Mom and Dad to keep everyone entertained. 

Our very own meteorologist.  Just after Ethan and I finished a lesson on measuring with inch rulers.  Real life math!

Sledding in the office parking lot off of the snow drifts

Enjoying the Sugar Cookie Kit we got for Christmas

All approve!

At the end of the day . . . some wrestling!

Showing off our muscles

Ready for a haircut!

One thing about my dear husband that I still can't understand, after almost 10 years of marriage, is his appreciation of a good mullet.  He describes it as the "business in front and party in the back" hairstyle.  Curls or a pony tail peaking out behind the back of a ball cap, just has some sense of appeal to him.  All I know is that it is God's grace that I didn't know him when he wore such a hairdo (in high school).  I think it would have posed grave ramifications on the future of our relationship.  Maybe it's just an American culture thing I can't quite connect with.

All that to say, Elias is growing quite the mullet.  His hair is so fine, his first hair cut will need scissors; buzzers won't "cut it."  I didn't pack scissors for this time of in-between living and the thought of a local barber, which can be quite rough, sounds somewhat traumatising. 

Sporting his shaggy do and Daddy's shoes (a fun new fascination).

Notice the hair hanging well over the back of his collar!

So, in the meantime, the mullet grows.  Maybe Aunt T will have some scissors and we can trim these golden locks when we get to Turkey.  Luckily, Daddy's not opposed. 

An inclusive heart

This is Ethan's newest thing; inviting people into his life (complete with RSVPs).  So last Saturday night, Ethan invited several guys for Men's Night.  Originally his plan was to have wrestling night, but the lack of space in someone else's home led us to plan B.  Lego Star Wars Video Game Night. 

He was gracious enough to let Elli and I sit in.  With a bed time of 8 p.m., Men's Night didn't last very long.  But wish you could have seen his face when he went to bed that night.  He was glowing!  "That was a really good idea Mom.  I'm so glad they came!"  Thanks grown men, for investing in my son's heart.  It's shaping him, I know!

33 weeks and growing!

That's right, we're at 33 weeks and are counting down to when we get to head to Turkey to wait the last couple of weeks.  I'd love to say we were 36 weeks, but I'm trying to keep my heart and mind on the mid-March due-date.  Baby #4 sure has me tired and my body feeling it.  Would love your prayers for perseverance until the end!

My thrill seeker!

As he gets older, we are starting to see more and more who this little guy is.  His fear and hesitation factor is quite small.  Maybe it comes with having 2 older siblings; he's just seen a lot done and thinks he can do it too.  This, however, was his own creative discovery yesterday morning. 

Our seriously be-lated Christmas post!

 This year we had a very full Christmas!  A Christmas full of His goodness; full of remembering His sweet presence; full of family despite the distance; full of anticipation for the new life that is coming to join us soon; and full of friends.

Enjoying his talking car.

Ethan driving his Hotwheels, on his new track, up the wall!

Elli happily displaying her newly dressed baby dolls!

First Christmas to enjoy licking the spoon!  Elli willingly sharing what's left of the yummy fudge.

The anticipation of Christmas Eve!

Here's to imaginative play.  He's pretty excited. 

Daddy's demonstration of imaginative play.

As our kids have grown up, it's been fun to watch the excitement to buy gifts for one another grow.  To see the ideas they have and the excitement they have to give them to each other!

  

Ethan's gift to Elli; a framed picture of them sledding together!  They are good friends, most of the time!

And Elli's gift of Lego's for Ethan.  She knows her brother!

 

 

 

 

Elli's big gift this year was a wooden doll house!

While Ethan helped put the pieces where they went, Elli soaked up every character.