On giving thanks

Thursday was our family’s first Thanksgiving here and, overall, I thought it went well.  Of course, it was different and we missed our families back in the states, but maybe because of all of that it caused me to really think about the holiday, its origins and how this thanksgiving really seems a lot (in spirit) like what perhaps the original day might have been like.  We were a crew of assorted cultures, mostly Americans, gathered together, many missing those we love who are far away, but filled with gratitude for the friendship found in sharing this day together.  Everyone brought a dish that meant “Thanksgiving” for them or that was a favorite dish from their own country.  In the blending of cultures I was reminded of the beauty that can be found in sharing in other’s lives, their joys, their sorrows…and the grace that is given and received in this kind of moment.  So, happy thanksgiving to much loved ones who are never far from our hearts and to new friends who extended and included and welcomed us to the table—our lives are far better for the both.

As promised

Now if you were expecting quality pictures, I hate to disappoint, but that is most decidedly husband dear's department.  But here are a few of my quick pictures from the days of birthday around here for our eldest daughter.  When did she get so tall???  Here she is in a ballet outfit (You all are so great to send stuff our way for her big day thank you, thank you!).  What the photo didn't catch was her impromptu dance, which might have been more hip-hop than ballet, but hey at least she can move now mostly without running into furniture or innocent bystanders...

 Here is her cake, this picture makes me laugh because this represents the third cake I made for her birthday, which can be seen from my use of all the leftover icings.  This girl celebrated with cake at school, day care, and our house--not bad I think.  And by the way this cake is super yummy--here's the link: http://www.food.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-cake-2496   We prefer it with cream cheese icing...

 Here is a picture of the skirt I finally made for her.  No lie, I've been carrying around the fabric for this for over a year.  Leftover from my niece's quilt, since the girls share middle names and close birthdays I thought it only fitting (no pun intended).

Here she is, I still remember her as my sweet baby...and now she is looking very grown-up girl to me, five and ready to rule the world.  Sweet girl, don't grow up too fast...

 This was her big gift from us and I must admit that I am super-excited about playing with this gift.  On a funny note, Husband Dear, big shout out to him for assembling it all, set up the rooms.  Well, eldest daughter saw the box for the house the next day and realized that Daddy had set up her house different from the picture--so she quickly set it to rights to match the box...

 

My little ballerinas and their brother--everyone gets a gift from the sweet care packages you all sent to us for the big day.  Thank you beyond words, you made the days of birthday =) very special for all of us.  We love you!

Much better

Thank you to all of you who thought of us and prayed for us this past crazy week of sickness, tests, house issues, etc.  We are all much, much better.  The water tank issue has still be resolved but is not, presently, overflowing, and youngest imp has made a full recovery, and our second tests are well and behind us, so praise God!  I promise I do have pictures to update here and will do so as soon as I get another spare moment--just wanted to say thanks to you dear family and friends out there--we love you!

And the hits keep comin'

Literally.  Last night husband dear was changing the fluorescent light in our son’s room when a large metal object (ballast?) fell from the light and hit him on the head.  He’s ok, but it’s not pretty to look at--one of those bumps where your knot has a knot—makes me hurt to think about it.  Then this morning I walked into our son’s room and discovered that the roof was leaking water and his carpet was wet.  So husband dear went up to the roof to investigate (water tanks were overflowing, not sure why) and scrape water off.  Next, to get ready for school.  Youngest imp appears to be much better, two days of antibiotics and no fever, so we prepare for school.  She wants to try her new vitamins, so I give her one and try to get the other two kiddos moving faster (we’re late of course).  And then our youngest throws up her new vitamin all over the kitchen floor—I’m thinking it was the combination of vitamin and empty stomach, but no school for her now just in case.  Oh, and did I mention we have our second big language test today?  Injured and harried husband dear will have a go at it today (poor thing) and I’ll have to attempt it whenever I can get back.  On the upside I did manage to catch up on the laundry—small victories…

Mama said there'd be days like this...

We are fresh back from vacation and celebrating the middle’s birthday and it was all wonderful, but I had an inkling that things weren’t so well with our youngest imp.  You see she was sick before me, but had appeared to be much better whilst we were on vacation (and among modern conveniences and places with pediatricians).  However, the day we arrived back home she appeared to be getting sick again and started spiking a fever.  Regrettably where we live there are no pediatricians, but there is a clinic that some ex-pats recommended so off we went.  I must say I was very pleasantly surprised; the place was efficient even on a first-come first-served basis.  There were plenty of fish tanks and even birds to watch as we waited.  When we were called back we went to the doctor’s office (general practitioner).  Everything to this point had been smooth, but the moment the doctor wanted to look at our youngest child’s throat everything came undone.   My quietly sick three-year-old became a raging snot-flinging tyrant in shiny pink cowboy boots—what must that poor doctor have been thinking?  I did manage to contain her long enough for the doctor to look in her mouth and diagnose the infection and prescribe an antibiotic all of which we picked up at the pharmacy next door in less than five minutes—which was a good thing because at this point we were both done in.  Oh for another vacation!

Let's hear it for my man

As I write this I am so sick.  My head and ears are pounding with congestion and I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck.  So why am I writing?  Just a note to say I love my man.  It is not often that I am down and totally out, but today (and yesterday) I am.  Isn’t it funny that in those moments of physical weakness that I can really appreciate this man God has placed in my life?  Running our household is a JOB best handled by both of us and I love that husband dear can and does step in completely for me when I physically cannot.  It is also the grace with which he does so that I love about him.  You see, I can and will fill in for him if he’s sick, but I have a hard time doing so without making sure he knows the “sacrifice” I am making for him.  Not much of a gift then is it?  That is why I am writing, because I love him so and am so glad he is mine.