I am realizing this week that there are many things I have already forgotten that Kolby did and said when he was Gabby's age. Even though the "2s" can be trying, they are also filled with lots of laughter due to that child's personality emerging. Here are a couple things I don't want to forget about Gabby's "2s".
She "enjoys" picking out her own clothes, shoes, tights, hair clips, spoons, bowls, you name it, she wants to pick it out. Last night we were reading Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Before I read each page she would have to name each plane. Jay Jay was always Kolby, the pink plane was Gabby, the green plane was Papa or Mee-ma, the strong gray plane was "Daddy", and the firetruck was Jayden (a cousin) or "Unca Ben" (Uncle Ben). Its interesting to me how she usually names everything a family members' name...except if she sees a little girl with blonde hair, then it's always Ellie (her best friend here).
This morning at breakfast she was chatting away (most of which we couldn't understand) over her bowl of cereal. Kolby says, "Gabby, I don't understand anything you are saying!" Gabby replies (hand on hip and getting the sassy head shake going on), "KOLBY! I am talkin' to MOMMA!"
Every time we leave the house we have to go over (and over) who is coming with us. For example, "Daddy going?"
"No, honey, Daddy is staying here."
"Baby Kyler going?" "Kolby going?" "Mommy going?" "Gabby going?"....you get the picture.
She's also into playing this little game. It's called "Where's all the people?" And yes, that is the game. She asks me where all the people are over and over again...whether we are alone, out in public, at someone's house, or in the car. And if she is ready to talk to people and there are none around she wants to call Nana or Mee-ma on the phone NOW. That usually takes care of her "I need people NOW" problem...unless of course it's in the middle of the night in America.
Last night we all sat and watched this little My Little Pony DVD that came in her little tea cup house she got for Christmas. It's so funny to see Jon's reactions to such girly things! I LOVE it!! Gabby and I were having the time of our lives while Kolby and Jon were mocking us...it starts young, the battle of the sexes. I say, "More My Little Pony and pink!" Jon says, "Kolby, lets go downstairs and build a man cave with a pool table."
A couple minutes ago I was laying beside Gabby while she got settled in her bed to go to sleep. It's dark except for the glow of the night light. I think she thought I was asleep. She takes her thumb out of her mouth (which she sucks only while she holds her "Mick", a blue pack n play sheet) and studies it carefully. She cleans it off with her Mick and touches it and talks to it. Then she counts all her fingers real quietly (one, two, pree, pour, pive). She proceeds to LICK each of them! Like she was tasting them to see if they were as good as her thumb. I guess she decided her thumb was still the best choice b/c she talked to it again and stuck it in her mouth, pulled Mick up over her hand and closed her eyes.
Oh the life of a two year old.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
First Time for Cereal and Dance Parties
Kyler had cereal for the first time yesterday. He made the funniest faces. Kolby and Gabby were very excited he was eating "big boy food". Thanks, Rick and Jan, for providing My Little Pony dance parties here at our house!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ants & Rooms
Photos I meant to post last week...the kids' rooms with their new sticker decorations; Kolby's tower he built; and this is what happens when you don't sweep the minute after our meal is over! Our pet ants carrying away a piece of Gabby's eggs after breakfast.
Just A Normal Day With Kyler
Kyler was 4 months old on the 11th. He's super happy and lovable. Kolby and Gabby really can't get enough of him.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Kolbyism
This afternoon, during naptime, Kolby built this massive "castle" made out of megablocks and wooden blocks. When it came time for him to pick them up he roped Gabby into helping (who did so very willingly). They did a good job for a couple minutes then they started jacking around. So I said, "Hurry it up you slow pokes!"
Here was Kolby's response:
"Mom, you just want us to be your slaves! You got all these toys out and now you want US to pick them up!"
Oh brother! How does he even know what a slave is anyway!
Here was Kolby's response:
"Mom, you just want us to be your slaves! You got all these toys out and now you want US to pick them up!"
Oh brother! How does he even know what a slave is anyway!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Life happening
Feeding Kyler on the couch this morning, here is the conversation happening around me…
Gabby: Bye bye! Going to church now! (pulling a rolling wooden fish and holding a Berenstain Bears “Safe and Sound” book)
We officially have a bedroom to ourselves again. Last night we moved Kyler down the hall. Ah, life as it should be. Today we have our first AWANA since being back. Jon is working on hotel/travel arrangements for a group coming on Saturday. Ang and I are planning a baby shower for Veronica and Jen for Thurs. night. Kolby starts preschool in the afternoons tomorrow 3 days a week (2 with Ang, one with me). Manel’s other sister is offering a kiddie art class on Saturdays for an hour. So this Sat. I will take the K boys and my kids to art class! That ought to be interesting. Let’s see…what else? Yesterday Kolby and Gabby spent an hour running up and down the stairs to retrieve their “parachute men” Aunt Renee gave them for Christmas. They sent them sailing from Kolby’s balcony. Good exercise. Thanks, Aunt Renee. Good stuff happening around here in Africa. I also decided today that my ants are more like pets now. Instead of having a dog to eat all the crumbs off the floor, my ants do it! It just takes them a whole day and night. But if I leave the crumbs there long enough they will fit them all through the cracks in the walls and then be gone! Hey, if you can’t have a pet dog (b/c they are all strays and scary) then why not have pet ants?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday and Sunday...Week 1
We decided to focus our efforts on the basement. The plan: get the basement cleaned, organized and ready for our friends who arrive on Feb 3. The obstacles: mildew in the storage space, where to put other people’s stuff that we are currently storing, and time. Angie came over for a tuna fish lunch and the movie UP. She watched the kids and listened for sleeping Kyler while we attacked (Ang was our answer to the question of “time”). Slow moving, but we are at least moving ahead. We had Kolby’s carseat, double stroller, single stroller and a ton of other stuff in the storage space downstairs…now covered in mildew. What is the differernce between mold and mildew? Looks the same to me…
Another project needing some attention would be our bathroom upstairs. We need a new shower curtain (our other one is covered in mold), new toilet seat (it pinches your bootie every time you sit on it and the hardware is barely holding it in place), and to teach Kolby to hit the toilet the whole time he’s peeing!
Gabby is still not staying asleep…she fell asleep at 8:30 and then consistently woke up every 30 minutes to 2 hours until 1 a.m. In that time frame she yelled “Mommy!”, cired, and took her diaper off a couple times. The last time it happened she peed on her bed and the mattress that is on the floor (to catch her incase she ever falls out). I’m not as smart as Erin…I am going to have to start turning her jammies around and zipping her up the back too! She is going to send Jon and I both right over the edge! Kolby went to bed at 8:30 and we didn’t hear a peep out of him till 9 a.m. And of course Kyler is sleeping like a champ now! So great!
Sunday consists of pancakes made by Daddy and Kolby, watching CCV online, and a park run (Jon took the kids while I stay to organize the upstairs and Kyler naps…oh wait, and write this blog). Tonight Jon has a training so I think I will catch up on some reading after I do Turbo Jam J. Week one for us is almost up. And our internet works! I thought that would not be the case at all…huge blessing. Gabby wanted to call Nana (Nee-nah) and Grandma (Mee-ma) the minute she woke up this morning. I told her she was going to have to wait till later in the day. That was not the answer she was looking for. Kolby has been building things all over with his new toys and legos. And I see he left his little flashlights and his tea light candle (an electric one) on…
All in all, week one not too shabby! We will see what week two brings!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday...Day 4 of our first week home
Today we were reunited to our house cleaner Samira. It’s so hard to be excited to see people when you can only communicate a couple of things to them! Manel, our language teacher, is stopping by this afternoon. Thankfully she speaks English or I just couldn’t handle it (b/c I really want to catch up with her!). Jon took off this morning to investigate his language class possibilities and try his luck with the Internet company…again. He’s already talked to them once. Last night I made a run to the “Walmart” type store here (Geant). It was so great pushing around that big heavy cart piled high with groceries, diapers, toilet paper (you know, the usual)…and not being pregnant while doing it! I realized I am used to not being pregnant in America only. While being back here I am still praising Jesus that my pregnancy is over! For too long I lugged around my laundry baskets (up and down 3 flights of stairs) and got groceries with 2 kids and huge pregnant…doing these things with my own body back will not be taken for granted! It was interesting to me how things have changed at Geant. Like I saw powdered creamer! Not flavored but still…I have never seen creamer here before. And now they have a “pet” aisle (for those 5 families here who actually have a pet???). Lots more selections of towels too…bright colors…but one towel for $15!
Last night the kids slept pretty good. I had to get up with them a couple times. But we had to get them up at 8 a.m. since Samira was here. Hopefully we are on our way to adjusting to this time zone. Jon and I keep saying, “Gosh, I am still hungry.” Then Jon finally said, “Oh yeah, I bet we are hungry all the time b/c of the food!” Duh. We totally forgot how long it took our bodies to adjust to the food here 2 years ago. Crazy that only 3 months away can make a difference. K & G are constantly eating too. Yesterday Gabby had 3 yogurts at one time.
Slowly getting things put away. I bought some of those sticky things to decorate the kids’ rooms with! I am so excited to put them up!! I bought Kolby basketballs, soccerballs, etc. and Gabby has flowers. Poor Kyler, who knows where he will end up in the mix! Maybe Kolby’s room someday, maybe his own room? Depending on what happens in the future I guess. For now we will move him to our fourth, bedroom which is our guest room/Jon’s office. We need to start working on our basement and turn it into our “guest house”. Our friends from Venezuela are coming back in Feb! They will be living down there until they find a new home, We are so excited for them and still SHOCKED they actually got their visa after waiting for SO LONG!
Time to feed Kyler. He’s such a happy little thing. I finally got him moved to a 3 ½ hour schedule so I feel like I have so much time during the day J. (P.S. Jon got the internet working!!!!)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Surprises, 1/12/2010
Surprises, 1/12/2010
First surprise, it’s 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and everyone is still asleep!
I woke up at 7 a.m., drank some water, put some kitchen stuff away, threw away some old stuff, organized and swept a little. By that time it was 8 a.m. and still, no noises from upstairs. I woke Kyler up to feed him (his last feeding had been at 11 p.m.). He was happy and content, full of lots of things to tell me as he watched me from his bouncy seat. I think he’s glad to be home too. 45 minutes later he is down for a nap, I’ve had a cup of coffee and muffin (made by one of my fabulous friends here…I noticed the muffins have cranraisins in them maybe? Somebody loves me to spare their cranraisins on someone who just indulged in lots of American food!), read some Psalms and James, and did some praying.
Which leads to surprise number 2. This feeling of love for this place! Not sure why I am so surprised by it…but sitting here amongst the chaos of my house (after Jon unpacked all the crates last night and made piles, he’s amazing) I feel this joy and love for life here. I felt the same joy and love waking up in America 3 months ago. But I am appreciating different things. For example, the sounds of Epiphany (what we call our city since we don’t use the real name in America) that I woke up to this morning are so different from America but so familiar now. There is a slowness in the sounds…a slow-paced lifestyle, not a lot of hustle and bustle. It sounds crisp and natural. The call to prayer reminded me again of the freedom we live in through Christ. It’s not taken for granted for me here. That feeling was easily lost when I was in America. Yet in America I felt surrounded by faithful followers. Here you fight for that.
Suprpise number 3. The ants in the kitchen aren’t making me want to cuss and throw things! Something about seeing them made me feel at home instead! Weird!! I kind of feel like an adult again, a little more in control of my life. I didn’t realize I felt like such a “kid” again being around parents and siblings. Nor did I realize how out of control I felt living out of a suitcase for 3 months. Here I feel purposeful sitting in my home that is my job to keep running smoothly (schedules, cooking, cleaning, organizing, raising kids). I feel older here, more responsibility. But that is probably b/c we actually live here. In America we were living it up on good food, someone else was ultimately responsible for the house we were staying in, and it wasn’t really my job to cook and clean! Thanks Mom and Lorie for doing all that for us!! Now that I am here, I really do feel like I had a vacation from my “life”. When do moms ever get that kind of vacation?! Sorry, friends, wish you all could have one too!
Surprise number 4: Everything made it! Nothing broke! The worst thing that happened was one of my spaghetti sauce seasoning packets got a little tear it in, but it was contained in it’s ziplocked bag and the crate that was sitting on the floor thru the night must be on a hot water line (which heats our house) b/c when I unpacked my bags of chocolate chips 2 of them were melted and hot!
Surprise number 5. I’ve blogged twice since being back and it’s only been 10 hours! And everyone is still sleeping at 10 a.m.!!
First surprise, it’s 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and everyone is still asleep!
I woke up at 7 a.m., drank some water, put some kitchen stuff away, threw away some old stuff, organized and swept a little. By that time it was 8 a.m. and still, no noises from upstairs. I woke Kyler up to feed him (his last feeding had been at 11 p.m.). He was happy and content, full of lots of things to tell me as he watched me from his bouncy seat. I think he’s glad to be home too. 45 minutes later he is down for a nap, I’ve had a cup of coffee and muffin (made by one of my fabulous friends here…I noticed the muffins have cranraisins in them maybe? Somebody loves me to spare their cranraisins on someone who just indulged in lots of American food!), read some Psalms and James, and did some praying.
Which leads to surprise number 2. This feeling of love for this place! Not sure why I am so surprised by it…but sitting here amongst the chaos of my house (after Jon unpacked all the crates last night and made piles, he’s amazing) I feel this joy and love for life here. I felt the same joy and love waking up in America 3 months ago. But I am appreciating different things. For example, the sounds of Epiphany (what we call our city since we don’t use the real name in America) that I woke up to this morning are so different from America but so familiar now. There is a slowness in the sounds…a slow-paced lifestyle, not a lot of hustle and bustle. It sounds crisp and natural. The call to prayer reminded me again of the freedom we live in through Christ. It’s not taken for granted for me here. That feeling was easily lost when I was in America. Yet in America I felt surrounded by faithful followers. Here you fight for that.
Suprpise number 3. The ants in the kitchen aren’t making me want to cuss and throw things! Something about seeing them made me feel at home instead! Weird!! I kind of feel like an adult again, a little more in control of my life. I didn’t realize I felt like such a “kid” again being around parents and siblings. Nor did I realize how out of control I felt living out of a suitcase for 3 months. Here I feel purposeful sitting in my home that is my job to keep running smoothly (schedules, cooking, cleaning, organizing, raising kids). I feel older here, more responsibility. But that is probably b/c we actually live here. In America we were living it up on good food, someone else was ultimately responsible for the house we were staying in, and it wasn’t really my job to cook and clean! Thanks Mom and Lorie for doing all that for us!! Now that I am here, I really do feel like I had a vacation from my “life”. When do moms ever get that kind of vacation?! Sorry, friends, wish you all could have one too!
Surprise number 4: Everything made it! Nothing broke! The worst thing that happened was one of my spaghetti sauce seasoning packets got a little tear it in, but it was contained in it’s ziplocked bag and the crate that was sitting on the floor thru the night must be on a hot water line (which heats our house) b/c when I unpacked my bags of chocolate chips 2 of them were melted and hot!
Surprise number 5. I’ve blogged twice since being back and it’s only been 10 hours! And everyone is still sleeping at 10 a.m.!!
Traveling Details, 1/11/2010
For those of you are into details here are some from our trip!
We left the Grogg house at 9:36 a.m., made it to the airport and security with only minor problems like I forgot to take my quart size bag of liquids out of my book bag but remembered to take them out of the other carry ons (and now I am told that I should consider baby wipes a liquid too, side note for mother travelers). We checked 7 suitcases and an infant car seat. (It’s going to be Christmas all over again by the time we get them all unpacked.)
Arrived in Atlanta on a super nice plane at 3:30 p.m. (AZ time), the ones where each chair has their own TV in the chair. Kolby and Jon sat in the 2 chairs on the very right side of the plane while Gabby, Kyler and I in the 2 chairs on the very left side. We were separated by 3 chairs down the middle. But Gabby and I quickly made friends with the middle aisle, due to Gabby’s charming personality ☺ and they helped us “stow our carry on” (which continued to be a problem each flight b/c we could never find a space for it…but kept our bookbags at our feet.). The stewardess tried to take our ONE bag to put up top (I think a family of 5 could be allowed to store one freaking bag!) The nice newly weds fought with me to shove it above us ignoring her. They saw the tears spring into my eyes! Don’t mess with the mom of 3 traveling for 24 hours. I knew if she checked it she would check it all the way thru to Africa so I was panicking. Seriously, if you are flying with a carry on that can go under your feet PUT the stupid thing at your feet! The couple that helped us were on their honeymoon. So I explained to Gabby how she had just been in a big Cinderella dress. She started dancing around telling everyone in ear shot about her “lella” dress.
Grabbed some Panda Express and Happy Meals in Atlanta. While Jon and the kids got “lunch” I tried my best to get us bulk head seating AGAIN. Not happening AGAIN. The gate across from us was swarming with men and women serving in the army. I didn’t get a chance to look exactly where they were going but probably the Middle East somewhere. Instead of strangling the guy behind the counter at my gate, I decided to count my blessings! Here we were headed overseas together as a family, while tons of wives, husbands, and children were saying goodbye to their loved ones.
Boarded our overseas plane with Jon and I cussing sometimes out loud and sometimes in our heads ☺. People with no small children sitting in the bulk head seating AGAIN while we had ONE carry on to stow in the top and Jon had to put it ALL the way in the back of the plane. I was sitting next to a big man from Mali, super sweet and nice thank you Jesus. Gabby sat next to me, but then I realized there was no way I was going to be able to feed kyler next to the big man, so Gabby and I moved to the outside aisle with 2 seats and Kolby and Jon moved to the inside one. Gabby was such a mommy’s girl ALL day so it was tricky juggling her and Kyler. Daddy stepped in to save the day when I thought to myself, “This is NEVER going to work!” for the 100th time. After I feed Kyler and they let us take off our seatbelts (about 6:45 p.m. Phoenix time already!) Jon got Kyler to fall asleep on the chair next to him (he made a little tent over him to keep the light out and everything) and Kolby to fall asleep on the floor. I had to hold Gabby in several thousands of positions throughout the flight but she fell asleep right away too. Basically our kids slept from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jon and I tried to sleep a little inbetween Gabby and Kolby waking up and crying. Gabby’s eyes were gooey and watery so I think she has an infection in them again. Kolby would just wake up coughing or bumping his head on something. All in all they did great. It was a harder trip than going to America but I really think it’s harder b/c you are traveling during your real night of sleep. Going to America we were in the van driving to my parents house (where we could sleep from KC to Topeka) by 3 a.m. our time so we didn’t have to push thru an all-nighter.
Landed in Paris. Funny how when we fly to France after being in Africa we always comment on how neat, clean and organized it is. This time, we were SO annoyed b/c they were slow and disorganized! We got used to America way too fast. We had to check in and get a boarding pass, try to rush through security, and run to our gate that was boarding. We made it! Thanks for all your prayers. We made all our connecting flights no problems. Jon sat with Kolby and Gabby while I sat across from Kyler and I. They served the best fish and couscous (not even kidding). And this little lemon pastry! Cracks me up that we get peanuts in America and a five course meal in France on our 2 hour flight! The kids watched “UP” (first time to get out the DVD player) while Kyler slept. Jon kept the trays of food from going all over somehow while juggling squirming over-tired children. Arrived in Africa at 7 a.m. exactly Phoenix time!! Uh good grief it’s pure torture! At some point on our Paris to Africa flight I had just wanted to lay down so bad and sleep. But Jon is a good encourager and together we somehow made it out into the airport with happy children, walked right through customs (no more HINI testing happening), picked up our luggage super fast (for here) and greeted our friends in the airport, Jon pushing 5 bags, me pushing 3 and Gabby (and wearing Kyler).
What great friends we have! Right away Kylan stepped into take over my pushing job, Justin helped Jon and Angie and I got to say “HELLO! YEAH!! SO GOOD TO SEE YOU HUGS HUGS…” You know what normal friends do after not seeing eachother ☺ Veronica, Ellie, Kristie and Kian awaited us at our house at about 4 p.m. Africa time (8 a.m. Monday morning in Phx). The kids reunited easily, Veronica is ready to have that baby in a month, everyone drew us pictures, left us special treats including groceries and diapers. Seriously, again, I feel like we have the easy life with everyone helping us out!! THANKS!!
The kids ran in the yard and climbed in the tree house…till Kolby had a melt down (about 30 minutes after arrival)…we put him to bed and he just woke up at 8 p.m. He’s playing in his room (it’s freezing in there, the heater in the kids’ rooms aren’t working) having a good ol’ time! Gabby stayed awake for another hour or so but then put herself to bed once she had picked out jammies and wrapped her baby up to put in her wooden cradle. Jon and I went to bed right away too.
Now it’s 10 p.m. (Monday night) for us. The whole fam is up (minus Kyler). We slept about 3 hours. Jon is attacking the luggage while I sit here and blog (even though we don’t have internet but I figure I can go send it from Veronica’s internet tomorrow). Kolby wanted to pop popcorn and have a juice box. Gabby joined us now and has some shoes on over her jammies and keeps going up and down the stairs to “see” her room. Kolby is already building with his legos and has said funny things like, “Ah, I like the smell of our bathroom.” Home again home again jiggity jig (that’s for our mothers). We have both commented on how loud it is in here b/c of the concrete and how glowing white it is! It took us back to 2 years ago arriving with the Holdrens and how weird it felt…the smells, feel, and sounds! But it’s already becoming super familiar again.
Love you all. Great to have home in two special places!
We left the Grogg house at 9:36 a.m., made it to the airport and security with only minor problems like I forgot to take my quart size bag of liquids out of my book bag but remembered to take them out of the other carry ons (and now I am told that I should consider baby wipes a liquid too, side note for mother travelers). We checked 7 suitcases and an infant car seat. (It’s going to be Christmas all over again by the time we get them all unpacked.)
Arrived in Atlanta on a super nice plane at 3:30 p.m. (AZ time), the ones where each chair has their own TV in the chair. Kolby and Jon sat in the 2 chairs on the very right side of the plane while Gabby, Kyler and I in the 2 chairs on the very left side. We were separated by 3 chairs down the middle. But Gabby and I quickly made friends with the middle aisle, due to Gabby’s charming personality ☺ and they helped us “stow our carry on” (which continued to be a problem each flight b/c we could never find a space for it…but kept our bookbags at our feet.). The stewardess tried to take our ONE bag to put up top (I think a family of 5 could be allowed to store one freaking bag!) The nice newly weds fought with me to shove it above us ignoring her. They saw the tears spring into my eyes! Don’t mess with the mom of 3 traveling for 24 hours. I knew if she checked it she would check it all the way thru to Africa so I was panicking. Seriously, if you are flying with a carry on that can go under your feet PUT the stupid thing at your feet! The couple that helped us were on their honeymoon. So I explained to Gabby how she had just been in a big Cinderella dress. She started dancing around telling everyone in ear shot about her “lella” dress.
Grabbed some Panda Express and Happy Meals in Atlanta. While Jon and the kids got “lunch” I tried my best to get us bulk head seating AGAIN. Not happening AGAIN. The gate across from us was swarming with men and women serving in the army. I didn’t get a chance to look exactly where they were going but probably the Middle East somewhere. Instead of strangling the guy behind the counter at my gate, I decided to count my blessings! Here we were headed overseas together as a family, while tons of wives, husbands, and children were saying goodbye to their loved ones.
Boarded our overseas plane with Jon and I cussing sometimes out loud and sometimes in our heads ☺. People with no small children sitting in the bulk head seating AGAIN while we had ONE carry on to stow in the top and Jon had to put it ALL the way in the back of the plane. I was sitting next to a big man from Mali, super sweet and nice thank you Jesus. Gabby sat next to me, but then I realized there was no way I was going to be able to feed kyler next to the big man, so Gabby and I moved to the outside aisle with 2 seats and Kolby and Jon moved to the inside one. Gabby was such a mommy’s girl ALL day so it was tricky juggling her and Kyler. Daddy stepped in to save the day when I thought to myself, “This is NEVER going to work!” for the 100th time. After I feed Kyler and they let us take off our seatbelts (about 6:45 p.m. Phoenix time already!) Jon got Kyler to fall asleep on the chair next to him (he made a little tent over him to keep the light out and everything) and Kolby to fall asleep on the floor. I had to hold Gabby in several thousands of positions throughout the flight but she fell asleep right away too. Basically our kids slept from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jon and I tried to sleep a little inbetween Gabby and Kolby waking up and crying. Gabby’s eyes were gooey and watery so I think she has an infection in them again. Kolby would just wake up coughing or bumping his head on something. All in all they did great. It was a harder trip than going to America but I really think it’s harder b/c you are traveling during your real night of sleep. Going to America we were in the van driving to my parents house (where we could sleep from KC to Topeka) by 3 a.m. our time so we didn’t have to push thru an all-nighter.
Landed in Paris. Funny how when we fly to France after being in Africa we always comment on how neat, clean and organized it is. This time, we were SO annoyed b/c they were slow and disorganized! We got used to America way too fast. We had to check in and get a boarding pass, try to rush through security, and run to our gate that was boarding. We made it! Thanks for all your prayers. We made all our connecting flights no problems. Jon sat with Kolby and Gabby while I sat across from Kyler and I. They served the best fish and couscous (not even kidding). And this little lemon pastry! Cracks me up that we get peanuts in America and a five course meal in France on our 2 hour flight! The kids watched “UP” (first time to get out the DVD player) while Kyler slept. Jon kept the trays of food from going all over somehow while juggling squirming over-tired children. Arrived in Africa at 7 a.m. exactly Phoenix time!! Uh good grief it’s pure torture! At some point on our Paris to Africa flight I had just wanted to lay down so bad and sleep. But Jon is a good encourager and together we somehow made it out into the airport with happy children, walked right through customs (no more HINI testing happening), picked up our luggage super fast (for here) and greeted our friends in the airport, Jon pushing 5 bags, me pushing 3 and Gabby (and wearing Kyler).
What great friends we have! Right away Kylan stepped into take over my pushing job, Justin helped Jon and Angie and I got to say “HELLO! YEAH!! SO GOOD TO SEE YOU HUGS HUGS…” You know what normal friends do after not seeing eachother ☺ Veronica, Ellie, Kristie and Kian awaited us at our house at about 4 p.m. Africa time (8 a.m. Monday morning in Phx). The kids reunited easily, Veronica is ready to have that baby in a month, everyone drew us pictures, left us special treats including groceries and diapers. Seriously, again, I feel like we have the easy life with everyone helping us out!! THANKS!!
The kids ran in the yard and climbed in the tree house…till Kolby had a melt down (about 30 minutes after arrival)…we put him to bed and he just woke up at 8 p.m. He’s playing in his room (it’s freezing in there, the heater in the kids’ rooms aren’t working) having a good ol’ time! Gabby stayed awake for another hour or so but then put herself to bed once she had picked out jammies and wrapped her baby up to put in her wooden cradle. Jon and I went to bed right away too.
Now it’s 10 p.m. (Monday night) for us. The whole fam is up (minus Kyler). We slept about 3 hours. Jon is attacking the luggage while I sit here and blog (even though we don’t have internet but I figure I can go send it from Veronica’s internet tomorrow). Kolby wanted to pop popcorn and have a juice box. Gabby joined us now and has some shoes on over her jammies and keeps going up and down the stairs to “see” her room. Kolby is already building with his legos and has said funny things like, “Ah, I like the smell of our bathroom.” Home again home again jiggity jig (that’s for our mothers). We have both commented on how loud it is in here b/c of the concrete and how glowing white it is! It took us back to 2 years ago arriving with the Holdrens and how weird it felt…the smells, feel, and sounds! But it’s already becoming super familiar again.
Love you all. Great to have home in two special places!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
There's No Place Like Home
Really, there is no place like home huh? For us, home happens to be in two places. I think Jon and I feel less stressed here in America. Things feel "normal" to us. And our family and friends are here. BUT we are also ready to go "home" to Africa in the morning. There we also have "family and friends" now...and it's the place that the 5 of us live and breath together. For our kids, that place is home. Both Kolby and Gabby have loved being here in America, seeing their cousins and grandparents, meeting up with little friends, and enjoying American luxuries like Chuckee Cheese :) However, they are both ready to be "home", in their home where their beds and blankets and toys are! It's interesting that this will be a dynamic in our family that will most likely last a lifetime. Even if we didn't live in Africa sometime in the future, it will be a place where our kids feel at "home", while Jon & I will most likely always feel at "home" in both places. It's weird we flew away from our home 3 months ago with a 6 week old and now we are flying back with a 4 month old. We are packed up in our 5 black crates, 2 suitcases, infant car seat and our carry-ons. What a pain to make it all 50 lbs! Why can't I just shove as much in as I can? That would make traveling easier for sure. We will fly off around noon tomorrow from Phoenix. Thanks to the guy who had the bomb that didn't work...hopefully security won't hinder our flight schedule! Thanks to ALL of our family and friends that have given generously to us of your time, money, friendships, gifts, and hugs!! Who knows what awaits us...no internet? a broken truck? And our home! Thought I would post one thing just in case :) We love you all!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year...Jon & others starting it off right!
Jon's got his game face on driving to CCV to join his fellow "207" bikers on New Year's Day...
Impressive group right here...committed to riding 207 miles on their bikes to Mexico in order to raise awareness of the poverty happening there...
Jon hurries to get his gear on...so the riders can start at 7:30 a.m.! They are planning to ride 110 miles today...to let you in on a little secret, the furthest Jon has gone for this is 30 miles :)
And off they go!! Gabby went with me to cheer Daddy on. The whole way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house she said, "Where my Daddy go? (voice of sadness) ON A BIKE! (voice of happiness)"Yes, it has been a LONG time since I have posted a blog...let's start the year off right by showing off my husband! We have been in America since October 19, heading back to Africa January 10. Our good friend Ian had this crazy idea from God to bike to Mexico from Phoenix, 207 miles, raising awareness and money for houses/people/poverty in Mexico. Of course Jon thought this would be a chance of a lifetime and hopped on board, not realizing it might be tough to train for something like that while visiting family and friends that we haven't seen in two years! As I type they have hit the 80 mile marker with 30 miles left to go for the day!! Jon is sticking it out but just text me to say he's feeling the pain! Ian's wife, Erin, is following in their truck and says Jon is a rockstar!
If you want to know more about 207 go to Facebook and look up "207 miles"!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)