Naptime Antics

Oh the things toddler’s find to do other than sleep during nap time.
Due to my various house guests Tori has been sleeping in my room. Overwhelmed with this new experience I guess she decided to explore. An hour into “nap” time I went to check on my little darling and this is what I found…….

My initial reaction clearly wasn’t the best as my husband, whom lucky for Tori happened to be home, came a running. At second glance, I must admit we turned our heads to hide our laughter. Just a note to those reading that have less than 3 children…With the first child things like this are dealt with very seriously and sternly, the second time you figure well I’ve been through this before by number 3 things like this actually cause you to laugh.

My only question is how do they find the one thing that happens to be the messiest, and the most expensive? It was my foundation, not like it is MAC but still it is expensive here and they are discontinuing this brand. Half the bottle covered her, my dresser, my duvet cover, the floor (still can’t get it out—Lizzy help!), and my pillows.

My husband's question, “So should I start cleaning up or do you want to snap a few pictures first?” He knows a good blog post when he sees it…hee!

Better than Shout

You may recall my fairly recent post about my nephew’s stained jeans….the ones he purchased that way….the interesting new fad among teenagers. Well someone forgot to clue my domestic worker, Lizzy into this new look.

After a time or two of wear, Matthew threw the jeans in the wash. Obviously unaware of Lizzy’s incredible ability, regardless of flaw, to return clothing to their original look. It might be appropriate to insert here that Lizzy is better than Shout or any other stain removal agent I’ve come across.

I’ve witnessed a bloodstained once white t-shirt dismissed as garbage returned to its pearly color without a trace of blood. Ground in stains from an active 5 year old boy consistently removed. Even the freshly self-painted mural of makeup that my 2 year old decided to draw on her apparently dull khaki pants completely removed. I don’t know how she does it but stains don't have a fighting chance when she is at the wash basin.

When the jeans were returned to Matthew they were not only pressed and folded they were also CLEAN…rid of any and all stains. I wish I could have captured the expression on his face when it hit him that his new look truly had a new look.

Chalk this one up as reason #52 of why one should not pay good money for purposely stained jeans, especially with Lizzy around!

A Special Mother's, Day

No, I don’t have my holidays mixed up, it is a very special mother’s, day today. It is my mom’s b-day so I wanted to highlight her on my blog today.

There really are so many things to say about what a wonderful person and mother she is and I probably don’t say these things enough. What stands out to me today is that no matter what the age a mom’s love is always desired and wanted. Although I am thirty-something and am a mommy to 3 of my own I still find myself on many occasions literally saying, “I want my mommy”. To which my 5 year old, son always replies with a puzzled look on his face, “You are the mommy”….like hello, did ya forget. I hope one day when he is out from under my roof that he will understand the phrase.

There is something special about a mother’s love that is hard to pull away from. Selfishly it is usually when I am sick or exhausted that I utter that phrase….ironically, I am not feeling well today so am missing her all the more. Mom’s just have a way of making everything better!

I am grateful to have a good relationship with my mother. Although thousands of miles and an ocean separate us we still talk almost every day via email or over the webcam (thank God for technology). And I know that nothing can separate my mother’s love from me so mom today I want to say more than just Happy Birthday…. Mom, I don’t tell you enough that I love you too and miss having you around! You are a wonderful mother, thank you for years of unconditional love and sacrifice! (Okay, I don’t know about you but I am an emotional wreck right now)
Oh, and “I want my Mommy”!

A Special Glimpse

Although I take a back seat to much of the up front ministry happening with all the teams I often get a glimpse at the ultrasound and see the heartbeat!


The other night at the finish of a trip of which my nephew and sister in-law took part, my glimpse took place. I asked them to share their favorite moments from the trip. My 13 year old nephew had a hard time putting it into words so I finally asked what I have asked teenagers for years on these type trips, “Did you have an opportunity to lead someone to Lord”? His countenance shown delight with his reply, “Yes”! I probed further, “Have you ever done that before”. His response, like so many that I have encountered brought tears to my eyes…"No, this was my first time.”

I am so glad to serve a God that is no respecter of persons. A God that longs to use the willing regardless of age, gender, nationality, or talent. I am so glad that we got to be a part of this special experience with Matthew. Often it is the first step of many more of the likes to come. It is moments like this that remind me of why we are here and why I so love what we are doing.

A special glimpse is nice to have from time to time; it helps keep things in focus!

Brrrrrr....

We’ve had some artic weather recently here in the southern hemisphere. With no central heating my house can remain quite cold esp. at night and in the mornings. Last year prior to my blogging debut I came up with this post; by the time I actually started blogging we were headed into spring so it wasn’t relevant.
So without further ado…

You know it is cold when…

• Prior to pouring your morning coffee you have to rinse the mug under warm water so the coffee won’t break the mug. (I lost 2 mugs last year)
• The ground meat you took out of the freezer to thaw is still frozen solid 3 hours later.
• Upon arising in the morning you can see your breath and you haven’t stepped out of the house.
• The butter that is left on the counter to keep soft (married into that one) is harder than the butter in the frig.
• Your hair spritzer won’t come out of the pump because it is partially frozen.
• You’re excited to cook dinner because the oven heats up the kitchen.
• Winter coat, gloves and scarf are a part of your daily attire regardless of whether you are in or out of the house.
• Your 2 year old refuses to potty train because “it is toooo cowd (cold) Mommy”.
• People ask you if you are expecting because you have a hot water bottle shoved under your coat making a preggie bulge.
• You make sure your heaters are on a long lease (extension cord) so they can travel with you around the house.
• You refuse to endure the “morning wee” until a heater has been taken into the bathroom to heat it up.
• Your nickname is “Ice woman” because your extremities always feel like ice…..at least that is what they are telling me.

So if the summer temps are getting too hot for you come on over as I can assure you, you WILL cool off!

Monday Madness

Wanted you to meet Aunt Joy (the fashion Queen) and cousin Matthew alongside my goof balls, Skyler and Blake. Fun having family around....brings out the craziness in all of us (hee)!

Just Say "No"

Crack doesn't seem to have a cultural preference...........

Proud to be an American

I’m feeling a bit sentimental (it happens a lot more as I increase in age) today being it is the 4th of July. We have a team from the USA here so we planned a small celebration for us all to enjoy. It will be a bit different than the “normal” 4th traditions. Our fireworks will consist of sparklers for the kids and instead of a picnic a bonfire will blaze as temps will only reach in the 30’s.

My eminent sentiment stems not from lack of fireworks or tradition but from a remembrance of my heritage. Years ago, as we were preparing for our life as missionaries living in another country our paths crossed with many others already living this life. I learned so much from them. Many things that I wanted to emulate and many I did not. One of the latter included becoming an “American basher”. I do see the American culture a bit differently than I used to and I agree with many of its faults yet I fail to understand how one can so easily disown their heritage. I see a spiritual metaphor emerging with that one as well but I’ll let you meditate on that.

With all of its challenges I love the country in which I live. After 3.5 years of living here I still pinch myself to make sure it is not a dream. At the same time I am grateful for my American heritage and recognize if it weren’t for my heritage (geographically, spiritually and genealogically) I would not be where I am today. I would not have the privilege of loving the precious African people. So today as we blow out the candles on the cake of democracy and freedom it is not with rhetoric that I say, “I am proud to be an American”!

Happy Birthday and God bless America!

A Whole New Look

Pop Quiz- Look at the picture and answer the questions that follow….

1) Did my dog’s wet paws make the dirt stains on this pair of jeans?
2) Is my 13 year old nephew that is visiting getting reacquainted with the messy little boy he once was?
3) Were these jeans purchased this way?

If you said number 1 that was a very logical and probable choice however you are incorrect. My nephew’s mother might agree with you if you chose number 2 however it too is incorrect. Yes, believe it or not number 3 is the stammering, mind-boggling correct answer!

Matthew, my nephew from Rich’s side is here visiting along with his aunt, Rich’s youngest sister, Joy, age 19. I dropped them at the mall the other day as Matthew wanted Joy, “the Queen of Fashion” (his wording) to help him pick out some new duds. I picked them up 2 hours later and these interesting, apparently new fad, appalling, STAINED jeans came home with them. I realize I sound like my mother describing items of clothing I used to wear and the fact that this post highlights my out of touch fashion not to mention my age but help me here; Aren’t these a bit over the edge? I mean come on as if paying top dollar for holes in jeans wasn’t enough but now they are selling them with deliberate stains. In all fairness Tori walks around with stains on her jeans too but she is two; I think that is to be expected.

I am sure his parents will be proud of their hard earned money at work when he gets off the plane wearing these. Humm in fact they might rethink allowing any of Matt's siblings to come visit Uncle Rich and Aunt Michelle after this purchase (insert sarcastic tone).

Matt and Joy we love having you here; you both are spectacular but don’t feel you need to purchase clothing for any of my children while you are visting….hee!