Preschool Graduates

They made it through their first year of school! Their Montessori Preschool was just what these two needed to catch up on all those essential English language skills they've missed out on and that mommy was a little too stretched thin to work on with them. They mastered colors, numbers, nursery rhymes (many which were new to me), puzzles galore and even started on basic math and reading. We are so thankful for the blessing this school was for J and T (and for mommy while she home schooled brothers and cared for baby brother). They made good friends with other students and both did excellent on their report cards :) We are very proud of them and thankful for how the Lord has grown their minds and language abilities over the last 8 months of Preschool. Jeremiah will be graduating on to homeschool Kindergarten next year and Tirzah will probably start lower KG at a national school when we return from the US in late June. Here's some of the best pics from their big recognition day.

The graduates and their proud big brothers!

Jeremiah and one of his best buddies.

He got an extra certificate for Fancy Dress day. (He was an Okra)

Their main teacher.

Proud mamma with my big kids!

Proud daddy!

The whole crew of teachers!

She's such an "Asian kid" with that pose. Bahaha!

Mrs. Indrani, the headmistress and wonderful teacher!

Hotter than the 4th of July!

We are just entering our first summer in our new S. Asian city. The temperatures are already as high as the highest temperatures EVER got in our last city. And while you may read this and think, "oh it's not that bad" or "it gets hotter than that in (insert Arizona, New Mexico, etc),"....let me just remind you that central AC in not a thing here. (except for fancy hotels and shopping malls). We have individual AC units in the bedrooms so we can cool off just enough to sleep. The rest of the day it's full on hot. In a concrete house that has never heard of weather-proofing and has ever increasing power outages that take out our fans and fridge for much of the day. That's our norm. And while it's not comfortable, I'm quickly reminded of how good we have it, just by looking out my car window, every time I go anywhere.

I can think of a few different expressions to accurately describe just how hot it is here...but those would only be encouraging my temptation to just complain and would not help my attitude toward the oncoming summer months in S. Asia.

Instead, I'll list out the TOP Ten positives of it being 101 degrees in mid March (the highs of 115 are yet to come in April/May).


TOP Ten Positives of it being 101 in March:

10) I no longer have to waste time wondering if my kids need a bath before bed. The answer is YES, definitely YES!

9) Higher temps make me way less hungry, thus aiding in my weight loss goals!  Higher temps make my kids less hungry, thus aiding in my "save money" goals!

8) Non-stop sweatiness takes the guess work out of how to do my hair and makeup each day AND saves tons of time. Ponytail, check! SPF moisturizer & mascara, check!

7) We can save on electricity from not having to use our hot water heaters anymore. It comes out piping hot whether we want it to or not!

6) The kids are wearing less clothes than in cooler months (they are SO Asian and bundle up for any temps less than 90), so that means less laundry for me! I get to see my cutie baby toddling around in diapers. Nothing beats that!

5) I finally get to make a dent in my deodorant stock pile I brought from the US and in my perfume collection (I know it's weird that I get some satisfaction out of using up products and throwing them away-it's shows my addiction to purging and my task-oriented nature!)

4) The heat justifies me giving my kids ice cream for dinner (at least once a week, right?)

3) I have one less reason to NOT exercise. I am going to be sweaty head-to-toe all day, everyday, whether I do or don't- So I might as well!

2) The heat forces you to slow down in your schedule, take naps more often, enjoy some pool time with your kids and those things are always positive!

1) The heat is a good reminder of us being one day closer to our visit to America! (where we will thoroughly enjoy the ever present central AC while we can!)

The heat has a way of knocking us all out. Anytime, anywhere.

One of my workout buddies, hitting T25 hard!

Yes, I did nap like this for about ten minutes. For real!

All ready for summer!

Babies, diapers, and rolls. Can't beat the ease of his wardrobe or the cuteness!

Cows & Confusion

Although I doubt this is where the real credit goes, I give this photo credit to the blog I found it on. This is a funny blog post about driving in India and is worth a quick read for a few laughs. 

Funny story time:

Listening to a sermon recently, I had a comical miscommunication. The man was preaching in English and his sermon was being translated into Hindi, which was especially painful to listen to on this day, because he wasn't giving the translator enough time to speak before he continued on. It’s like watching a verbal ping pong match. I hit a point of real misunderstanding and got totally lost.  I kept hearing him say something to the effect of  “is your life full of cows and confusion?” “everywhere you look, is there cows and confusion?” I responded in my mind “yes, I see cows and confusion everywhere, but where are you going with this?”  I finally leaned over to Kit for clarification and he explained that he was actually asking if we see 'CHAOS and confusion' in our life. "Oh! Yes, to that too!" I replied. Both literally and figuratively, I see cows, choas, and confusion all the day long (even in church).

Speaking of chaos...

It's the end of  'one of those weeks' that just couldn't end soon enough. The kind that offered daily encounters and situations pushing me to either laughter or tears. Most days I was able to laugh things off, or at least hold in the tears and suppress the full extent of my frustrations in front of my kids. But in all honesty, it was only by the grace of God that I was able to juggle my load and live to talk about it. It was the kind of week when I could have used an espresso IV rather than the 2 cups of blah coffee, reheated 10 times over. 

It went something like this: my husband was gone most of the week, we had someone staying with us (someone who does not speak the same language as me and who was under the weather),  I had to manage taking two of my kiddos to/from school each day, homeschooling the older two while out and about (because it's too far to drive back home), AND care for my nine month old (who is ready to take on the world of mobility). On top of the daily responsibilities, we had Dr. visits, an embarrassing incident of running out of gas on the highway (on a day when the heat index was 109 degrees), a nearly completely flat tire, a massive rat invading my pantry every night (leaving presents for me to clean up in the morning) and to top it all off, my super sweet and docile baby is cutting another tooth, which means lots of abnormal screaming and difficulty sleeping. And for some reason, all five kiddos and my guest were hungry every few hours. 

YET, we survived! As much as I hate feeling like I am still in survival mode-- learning to be a mom to five kiddos, managing my home and kids when my husband travels (it used to be SO much easier!) and living as an expat in a culture vastly different from my own--- it's true...we just aren't 'there' yet. I am learning a whole new kind of contentment. Not to be confused with complacency, which would not hold fast to a vision for a day when we can 'thrive' again. True contentment recognizes the circumstances the Lord has given me, in light of the liberties and limitations accompanied by those circumstances, and the dependency on the Lord that is necessary to press on. Accepting that the load He has given me to carry is not more than I can bare, with His help. 

I may have had a mild pity party over the fact that we are not yet 'thriving' after being 'back' in S. Asia for 4 months already. I mean 'come on! when will I get our act together?' But my sweet husband, who was thankfully not in the same place of discouragement as me, reminded me of the truth which I can so easily forget in the nitty gritty of 'today'. He said, "It's for your sanctification and God's glory!" Ok, I can easily receive the sanctification bit, as I know it's only when we are pressed hat we have the opportunity to have our character refined...but for God's glory? How could a rat in my pantry be for His glory? How can drowning in housework, drenched in sweat, relationship challenges, or unproductive homeschool outings be for HIS glory? Honestly, this week felt like a whole lot of failures, with not many wins to speak of. I don't share this to belly-ache, but to be real. My life is not all glowing grins and breezy rickshaw rides that are shown on Instagram. (Although my kids do have beautiful smiles and rickshaws are way better than gas-less cars turned sauna:)

So where's the glory? While I don't have all the answers, here are a few He has shown me in the midst of all the Chaos this week. His glory is found in the thankful hearts of myself and my kids, as we pass shoeless kids selling balloons on the street while driving to school each day. We thanked him for the privilege and blessing that we get to go to school and we get to homeschool. We praised Him for sending a rickshaw to our aid, just as the car was starting to get unbearably hot on the side of the road. For dear friends who would drop whatever they are doing to bring us gasoline (or fix a flat), help watch our kids, and even bring us water and snacks. I got to point out how God was being our refuge and strength, our ever present help in times of trouble (a song we have been singing recently) when He helped us get to the ATM, the gas station, and a tire repair spot with a very flat tire and a near empty tank. I got to hear my son pray for his dad to do his work this week by God's power not by his own, just as Moses did. I had several opportunities to confess my sin and selfishness to my kids and ask for forgiveness. IF those are the only ways He was glorified during this tough week, then it was worth it. My kids getting to see that scripture is relevant, that God is enough, that He is good, that we can and should always turn to Him in times of trouble and times of blessing...it makes all the sweat, the rat size holes in my pantry food, the disappointments, the stress and fatigue worth it. I hope and pray that in the midst of whatever circumstances you face today your heart with yield to his sanctifying works, and your eyes will be open to see His glory revealed. 

"Blogapy": Blog Therapy

After 11 months of not a single blog post, I am need of some serious blog therapy. This is the second night of four nights that my hubs is out of town. It's his first big trip away from us since we have been back in S. Asia and my first time alone with all 5 of my munchkins for days without family there to help me. We've been back in S. Asia for 6 weeks (minus two weeks in Thailand), moved to a new city, new house, and just now able to start striving for some sort of routine.

I find I am talking to myself a lot these days. Narrating the experiences I have as I go, wishing I could connect my brain to a blog post instantly. It helps me to process by imagining I'm telling someone else what happened. I find myself laughing over things that could just as easily make me cry. So I've decided that it's not just enough to do it in my head. Others should have the joy of laughing with me, or at me, in many cases. 

Coming back to S. Asia, after a 7 month stay in the States, has given me new eyes and a fresh perspective. We kind of have an ideal situation because we have the experience of our previous 3 years in India and all the familiarity with culture that comes with experience, yet we have a fresh start in a new city, new team of coworkers, and really, a whole new family. 

We left S. Asia as a family of four, not knowing what the future would hold for us, but trusting God with all the uncertainties lying ahead. We've returned, somewhat miraculously, as a family of 7! We are all changed, and all experiencing more adjustments than we even realize. I am grateful for the fresh start in a new place. And I am amazed at my own change in attitude towards S. Asia and living here. When I look back at the emotions I had during those first couple years here, I am thankful I am not experiencing all those culture shock moments now. I get to have the newness and excitement, without the shock and awe of being totally 'green' to life here. Finally, I'm having my 'honeymoon' experience with the culture and living here.This change in attitude has also helped me to laugh at situations that are actually quite stressful. I hope that response continues as it's so much more enjoyable than crying!

After being back in the US, I also realize that my everyday situations and experiences are very different than my life in the US. And people actually want to know what it's like to live here, day in and day out.  I hope to do a better job of sharing with others as things are fresh on my mind. So, big and small, humorous or horrifying, I am gonna share it all and hopefully find some therapy for myself along the way.

PS-a LOT has happened in this past nearly one year of 'blog neglect' (spent 7 months in America, had a baby, added two more kiddos to our crew, traveled a ton) and I do plan to fill in the gaps. It just might be a bit sporadic and random as I don't want to put off sharing things that are fresh on my mind for chronology's sake. I am still processing all that the Lord has done this past year and will write about it as I go.

OK, one quick funny story before I sign off and try to sleep a little in prep for another day of hearing "mom, mom, mom" 2,000 times...

A few days ago, I was home alone all day with the kiddos. Now, imagine my newly "settled" house (as in, I have the clean underwear in separate piles from the dirty AND I have what I need to serve my kids waffles and hard boiled eggs for nearly every meal)...It's mid morning, which means I am still in my pj's and glasses, looking amazing, while up in my room nursing Deacon. While nursing Deacon, I am also listening to two of my kids, who are on my bed, asking me to read a book to them, AND trying to correct and discipline (haha) my oldest son for doing something mean and awful. (For some reason he saw me weak at that moment and chose to resist his assigned 'time-out in your bed' instructions. He's a bright kid.) Then I get a phone call from my hubs, telling me that a pastor friend of his, whom I have yet to meet, is at our door, knocking, with his wife, and that I need to go answer the door. Yeah...good timing, or what? So I ever so graciously thanked my husband for this awesome news at this awesome timing (or some similar response), and made my way down stairs.  I may have had to stay up a moment or two longer to check my attitude, pop a vein back into my forehead, wipe my sweaty brow and find a smile to put on my face. Despite not having anything but two rickety wooden chairs I bought at a junk market for them to sit on (and me on the floor), we had a really good impromptu visit (S. Asian norm) complete with chai (as a good S. Asian host I forced them to have), bananas, and biscuits (which I stuffed my face with as soon as they left.) After all, I was repeatedly scolded for not eating enough and looking too weak to take care of 5 children.

Not really sure what spiritual application I drew from this but I did learn some practical lessons. 1) People will drive two hours to see you without giving advance notice, so always be home and ready! 2) Get into decent clothes before 10 in the morning and at least brush your teeth. 3) Children have in an innate sense of when you're going to be asked to give another adult attention and when that sense is triggered, they will all fight for your attention and choose that time to disregard everything you say. 4) Don't even pretend to act like you have everything together, because it's obvious to everyone within earshot and eyesight that you are a sweaty mess, look like a bum in your pj's at 10am, and your children think you're a push over. (But your sweet baby adores you, so just enjoy it while it lasts and he's too sweet to disobey!)

Road trip to Goa

This year we decided to road trip it to Goa for some annual meetings. We've never made this trip before so we were unsure how the roads would be for the second half of the trip and very uncertain about the bathroom and petrol locations along the way :) We took a different route going and returning and because we did, we got to see some beautiful views along the way. Besides the challenge of finding toilets and petrol, I love driving through rural India. You experience and see so much that the big cities can't offer. We took the longer route on the trip down, so we could stop for the night in a small town on the coast of our state. The beach was clean and the water warm! It really is a gem and hard to beleive it's in the same state as some of the other places we've been. It's like a whole different culture and has a very different feel to it. We wanted to linger longer the next day and go see a fort on an island, but it just so happened to be Holi (the festival of throwing colored powder on people) and call me a grump, but I have NO interest in participating in that tradition :) We we found a quiet place for breakfast and stayed in our car as much as possible to avoid being 'colored'. 

Too busy to take a pic with mom.

Cricket on the beach.

A local beach in our state.

Kids + Sand = endless fun

He would hate me putting this up, but he's too handsome not to :)

It was fun to watch the locals on the beach for a change, rather than feeling like we are the ones being watched. :)

Hiking in the Hills

The last few weeks have been jam packed and crazy busy for our family. The boys and I have tried to slow down the last few days while daddy has been out of town. So when we got an invite from some friends to go on a hike to a nearby fort, we jumped at the chance! In our state, there are 400 forts, once controlled by Shivaji. He was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom and there is at least one statue of him in every Maharashtran town and city. Today we took a hike to the 'youngest' of his forts and one of the better preserved. It was a pretty easy hike, minus a pretty steep climb or two. But both boys did really well, and with only a hand to hold, they both made the climb to the top on their own two feet. I ended up hiking down with Hudson on my back, which is the last time I ever do that! My hips are dearly paying for it today which is pretty sad to admit. 30 is nearing on me...only months away...and I already feel like I have 'old lady' hips. Sore hips and all, it was totally worth it. We had a great hike, an amazing view and breeze from the top, and were able to watch deer, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and no other people (which is hard to do in India). The boys found some 'crystals' as they called them, and really enjoyed the outdoors and our time with sweet friends. We stopped at a road-side waterfall on the way home and tried to get as close as we safely could. We are in the last few weeks of rainy season, which is the perfect time to hit the hills. Everything is lush and green, the waterfalls are flowing, and the rains are pretty predictable to come in the late afternoon. 

Here are a few pictures from our day out. We sure missed daddy, but now we have a great place to take him.

The kids took a route less traveled at one point.

The kids started off with great enthusiasm.

Taking a break at the top with a great view and breeze.

The Mountain Conquerors!

The steepest part.

About to head down the hill.

Watching butterflies and dragonflies

The kids on their alternative route.

Mountain Conquerors!

Roadside waterfall

All things Merry!

We celebrated our first Christmas in South Asia this year and while it was very different, we still enjoyed it and made the most of every opportunity to celebrate Christ in our family and amongst our friends and neighbors.

One new tradition we've started is having a children's Christmas party in our home for neighborhood kids. It was fun for our kids and a chance to share the true meaning of Christmas with our friends who know little to nothing about Jesus.

We also had a Christmas Eve party in our home with co-workers and American friends, which was a blast. Our families were greatly missed but we are so thankful that God has given us spiritual brothers and sisters to make us feel more at home here.

I also had an in-prompt Christmas party at a girls home near my house that I've started visiting. These girls, mostly orphans, are precious and were so thrilled to eat our poorly decorated Christmas sugar cookies and to enjoy the rare treat of Fanta and Coke! Thanks to my sister, we also had some nativity scene bookmarks for them to color, and while I was unsure if they'd like it at first (because many of them are over 10), they all LOVED it and spent 45 minutes decorating their book marks. Even the two "mammas" of the house joined in and turned it into a contest to see whose was the best.

Excited about his new drum and puzzles

sugaring up those cookies as much as he could

Hudson basically ate sprinkles, frosting, and Fanta all night

Proud of himself for finishing the puzzel. Thanks aunt Nini & uncle Jerry!

A happy and grateful boy on Christmas morning.

I have so much to be thankful for this season. We're feeling more adjusted to life here, I passed my language exam, our kids are healthy and happy, we have good friends and a fulfilling job. But most of all I've felt a full heart of gratitude for my Savior whom has given us reason to celebrate. And I'm praying that here, in our new home, His name was glorified and His fame made known amongst those who need to hear of Him.