Meet Merv

When people come to visit we always take them to meet our friend Merv.....

Sorry I couldn't come up with a very clever name--too tired and have been a "single" mom for far too long (4 more sleeps and my hubby is home!) it is stifling my creativity.

So of course the Baumruk family met Merv while they were here. In fact he came to greet us on our drive into the park....

I'll have to post my brother's video of our meeting with Merv as Tori and Mark (the 2 youngest) sure weren't very happy with Merv's entrance (both screamed and cried).

Later after visiting his lion friends in the park we met Merv for tea time--the kids brought the biscuits...


Everyone got a nice lick from Merv...


Some got a little grossed out by his slimy demeanor (look at Sky's reaction)


Yep Merv and I go way back....


photo taken 2 years ago

So if you're ever in my neck of the woods I'll take you to meet my African friend Merv!

Wild Wednesday

The Past Weeks in Pictures

I know it has been awhile since there was a substantial Franzenfam post. As most know my brother and his family were here for 2 weeks…granted it has been an entire week since they have gone so you’d think I have some posts up but I think I am still in recovery. Hee!

Here is the Franzen-Baumruk Fams

We actually got a couple decent group shots which is a feat in itself. 7 kids with ages ranging from 3-12...we had a busy but really fun time!

From patio Bonfires with African Smores

Bird Parks

To Viewing Africa's Big Five in the Bush

Water Fun

To Bartering at the Market

(with 7 kids that all have money burning a hole in their pockets--this took on a whole new meaning for me)

Ministry at a Creche

A Crusade

And a Cultural Learning Experience

These 7 ....

along with the 4 adults fell exhausted into bed every night

And had the happiest dreams of fun times with the Franzen-Baumruk Fam

to read more about creche and crusade ministry, click here

I miss my Daddy....

What Makes Me Happy

Leigh Ann this post is just for you my friend! I was tagged and am happy to comply (not like Just Mom) albeit a difficult task choosing just 6 things that make me happy…there are so many!

In compliance with the meme listed are 6 things that make me happy....

Waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee

When my children sleep past 7:00 a.m.

(btw, this never happens but it would make me very happy if it did)

Warm weather

Singing at the top of my lungs and not caring one iota what anyone thinks

Knowing my hope is in the Lord

AND the top thing making me happy right now…..

Is the fact that my brother, his wife and 4 children will be with the Franzenfam 24/7 for 2 weeks starting TOMORROW!!! Whoo-hoo!

My Party Shoes

My google friend, Heidi was correct. Flip flops are called slip slops or slops here. I guess because your feet slop around in them or they are sloppy apparel....not really sure.

What I did not expect with my purchase was a built in bottle opener. Yep, see for yourself.




Guess my taste in footwear leans towards the party shoes. Bet you didn't know I was such a party animal. We had a cherry limeade fiesta and used my slops to open the bottles....I know we are hard core over here.




There you have it sandals with a bottle opener in the sole...has to be American made. :-)

A Little SA Quiz

I purchased some slops the other day. My slops came with a bottle opener.

What did I purchase?

BTW, if you did not receive a SMILE from Africa click here to see how you can!

Proudly South African

It was Arts and Culture Week at Sky’s school. One of the days they were supposed to come dressed, “Proudly South African”. Of course I learned about the need for this SA attire at 3:30 p.m. the day prior when Skyler mentioned it on our way home from ballet. Now you must understand that we don’t have Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby or stores that stay open 24 hours here. Most everything closes by 6:oo p.m. So we are left to creativity which at its best is pretty scary for me most days.

Somewhere between the car ride home and my afternoon cuppa coffee the idea struck. I wish I could claim I am as creative and talented as my friend Gayla (if you haven’t seen her Olympics b-day post you must…so creative!) but every once in a while when put to the test, the creative juices start flowing and I come up with something good. Now the artistic flare to carry out the creative ideas is another story.

We decided to construct a cup of tea costume since SA is such a tea drinking country. Here is the final product……


Roobios tea is indigenous to and proudly South African. She even had tea bag earrings.

Overall it was a hit; she was declared as having the most unique costume.

So can you guess what Blake’s costume will be next year during Arts and Culture Week......yeah this type of creativity doesn't strike very often so we need to make the most of it.

A Post for the Grandparents

We had another big day with Skyler and Blake. Friday morning Blake’s school hosted a Grandparent’s tea, where all the Grandparents of the pre-primary & Kindergarten students are invited.

It seems every pre-primary does this activity and it is repeated every year. Where it is a special time and a wonderful thought this was Blake’s 3rd grandparent's tea and when the grandparents live in the USA finding a substitute can be daunting. Typically it is frowned upon for a parent to come as a substitute but we’ve used up all our favors with our friends so we grayed Rich up a bit and he anwsered to Gramps Rich....that to say he was the guest of honor. And if you can’t have the real Grandma or Grandpa who better as a substitute…Blake could not have been more pleased!

Rich is looking mighty good for his old age I might add...hee!

I was there as a "helping mom" so was able to view the program and it was quite cute. I think it is safe to say my children definitely enjoy performing and have a flare for the dramatic. Blake hammed it up!

Not to be upstaged, Skyler performed in at a ballet dance festival this weekend. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time you may recall my “ballet-stress” posts. Well this was no different although I must say I now chuckle while reading the 3 pages of RULES that end with “Any violation of the above recital rules will result in the participant being disqualified.” Yea, no joke…umm, hello is this the Olympics? Thankfully my perfectionist daughter performs well under stress (def. did not get that from me).

The dance was absolutely beautiful as were the dancers. Here are a few pics…
She loved the costume...especially the matching sequin ballet shoes….

We actually had to attend a “make-up” class with the girls to learn how to apply their make-up for the dance. The eye make-up was ridiculous in my opinion but we went with it so not to be disqualified. Here is a before make-up shot….



And with make-up.....


Sky with the other girls that make up the trio dance....



Blowing off steam shot....



The girls received full marks, as they would say here, and were each awarded metals. Look at that smile...


Skyler wanted to know if they received full marks why was the metal bronze? Isn't bronze 3rd place? Evidently she thought she was performing in the Olympics too.

Oh Happy Day

So many things to be thankful for yet 3 stand out today…

First, at 5:35 a.m. CST my new niece Ella Ingrid Kjellstrom was born. She weighed in at 8lbs 2.5 oz. We are elated. Congrats Kent and Jenn! The only sad part is not knowing when we will get to meet this little bundle (hope she’ll still be a little bundle when we do).

Secondly, I went on a date with my husband this evening. We saw a movie that to my recollection (I know that sounds funny as how could I not recollect when it was just hours ago but I think it is more out of shock) there was not 1 cuss word, no sex scenes or sexual innuendos…not one trashy thing in the whole movie and it was so well done! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I purposely did not tell you the name of the movie as I made a vow not to recommend movies esp. in mass but I will tell you it is a independent film (romantic drama) that won the People’s Choice award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006 (I think that is the correct year) so you can Google it if you really want to know.

And third…I am thankful that Chris Tomlin’s new album, Hello Love will be playing in my car, in my house, at the gym on my ipod as it was released today! I am so excited! Woo-hoo!

It has been a happy day; in fact as the 4th comes to a close here in the southern hemisphere I am feeling the weariness set in from all the excitement.

Hope you had a happy day as well!

Savoring September

Sept 1 can you believe it…..it hardly seems possible. Where has the year gone?

As you celebrate Labor Day and a day of rest, we are observing the first day of Spring in the southern hemisphere….albeit the nice warm temps we had a week ago have turned to biting wind and chilly temps again…so sad!

September is a month met with forthcoming anticipation! For it holds many joyous events. We will welcome a new niece into the Franzen and Kjellstrom family…hopefully very soon. One of my dearest South African friends will bear twins the latter part of the month. Rich inches one year closer to 40 and in a mere 20 days my brother, sis in-law and 4 kids will be on African soil with the Franzenfam for a 2 week visit! YEAH!!!

So many things to look forward to that I am sure will be here and gone before we know it. Makes me want to slow down and take them all in and enjoy every moment….I want to savor September!

How about you…anything you want to savor this month?

Wordy Wednesday

I thought I’d share a short quip from a really great parenting book that I am reading. It seemed to shed a lot of perspective with just a few words….

Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your “deserved” freedoms and deeply thinking about how you’re shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture.

It’s work, and it’s called loving your children. It’s called being a parent! (love those last two lines)

My prayer response…. "Lord, help me to love my little ones by giving them my best and not being so concerned with my so called “deserved” freedoms. You say you know my thoughts from afar…well than you know before I blow it and that it is a daily occurrence…forgive me! I know with your help and a lot of elbow grease we can set Skyler, Blake and Tori on a course that will bring freedom and relationship with You. For I am realizing that to train up my children in the way they should go requires initiative and intentional action on my part and the promise I hold to is that as a result when they are older they will not depart from it!

Your word says to acknowledge you in all my ways and you will direct my paths. Lord, I am acknowledging you in my parenting and with my children’s care and I thank you that you will direct me as I actively participate in their training and decision making!”

Amen

Spring Fever

The days have beamed beautiful, sunny, WARM weather….ahhh!!

Temps have been in the 70’s and will hit 80 degrees later this week. My hubby is already complaining he is hot and wants to pull out the fans….me, I AM LOVING IT! Bring it on….I hate the cold and these temps are quite comfy for me!

To celebrate this gorgeous weather we pulled out the Barq’s Root beer from the America stash and made Root beer floats. This was a first for my kids; can you believe it? We don’t get root beer here and I am a bit anal when it comes to kids drinking pop but hey warm temps equal frosty treats!

Cheers to Spring Fever and many more days of fun in the sun! (For those of us in the southern hemisphere that is)

Big Hair Genes

I was listening to a message delivered by Beth Moore, during which time she shared about her morning “big-hair”. Yep, I can relate! I retire with flat iron, straight hair and some how awake to a wild-do. Secretly I wish the late 80’s big hair trend would come back in-style as it was the one hair style I could not only pull off but did quite well! Remember big hair contests…there was no competition when up against the Michelle-fro!

My hair genes were not passed to either of my girls but to my son. He can get some volume! Here is Blake pictured at a Rugby game. Prior to leaving the house he wet his locks down and put on a baseball cap. While playing ball the hat came off and the do came out…

Hats off to big hair genes…me and my boy!

Goodbyes

In the line of work we are in we seem to say a lot of goodbyes. They never seem to be easy but there are a few that take the cake in terms of difficulty. We experienced one of those this weekend as we said goodbye to Rachel.

She was here serving with Impact Africa the past two months. During that time she not only did a great job with IA ministry endeavors she became a part of the family.

Ray, Ray we appreciate all you did for us and more so what you’ve become to us! It is a pleasure to be your “South African fam"!

Here are a few family photos

The Franzenfam Fantasy Land

Like most 3 year old girls mine is in the throws of long pretty dresses, crowns, and magical lands that only exist because of Disney. Every week Tori is a different Disney Princess and likes to be referred to by that particular Princess name. This week she answers only to “Jasmine”. And of course her b-day party theme changes according to that week's Princess preference. She did not like the suggestion of having an all princess party as that would be too easy for mom and since her b-day isn’t until December, well who knows what Princess she’ll be and/or if the phase will have past.

My favorite part is that the whole family has entered her fantasy land. She has appointed each one of us a storybook character, usually based on looks. I therefore am Cinderella (boy wouldn’t that be nice)…I am sure in her little mind it is because of the blond hair (or maybe it’s the long flowing blue dresses & matching gloves I wear daily—ha!) yet the sad part is the “blond” is brought to you by Garnier not God.

Rich is Prince Eric in our story! Admittedly, I helped to influence her choice on this one as he is my favorite Disney Prince. And according to our fairy tale, Prince Eric and Cinderella lived happily ever after (sorry Ariel). Then again I’ve always wanted to go red.


Skyler is Belle and she feels Tori has made a very appropriate choice as she has brown hair, brown eyes and loves to read. Although I am happy to report she isn't drawn to overtly large, furry creatures!

When we asked who Blake was she replied with a twinge of wit in her tone, “The Beast”. Ha! It didn’t make Blake too happy but it cracked me up! At least he isn’t a frog and he gets a book smart, pretty girl in the end.

Well there you have it the Franzenfam Fantasy Land! If you want to be a Prince or Princess for the day pay us a visit and Tori will get you all set up.

A Night with Ray-Ray

Rich and I went out with some friends an evening this weekend and Rachel better known as Ray-Ray babysat the kids.

Rachel is very upbeat and loves kids so as soon as we pulled out of the driveway I guarantee the wackiness began. She created a game to play with the kiddos that was interactive, action-packed, and carried a Pictionary on steroids type vibe.

It was such a hit they collectively decided to save all the pictures they drew to show mom and dad. Rach took it a step further and this is what we came home to…..


Under all the pics is a refrigerator. Yep, they took the “put the picture up on the frig for all to see” to a whole new level.


Rachel has definitely secured a spot in the Franzenfam best babysitters hall of fame.

How many people does it take to wash a dog?

With the Franzenfam the number is 5:

1 to hold the dogs ears (never heard of that one but my oldest insisted)
2 to wash (Tori and Blake)
1 to oversee....and catch the drenched dog when it escapes it's entrapment & makes its way through the house (Rich)

And

1 to capture the moment (me, of course)

How cute are these 4....

African Moments

Seems like everyday there is some picturesque African moment to take in..whether it be a gorgeous sunset, some type of indigenous wildlife, or chicken feet in the grocery store (ha).

My picturesque moment today happened in a squatter camp where I met these two little cuties...

They were just too precious walking down the road hand-in-hand carrying their teddy bears, that were half the size of them, African style....

Admittedly I did not capture their bright, smiling faces yet it remained an adorable African moment to behold!

Kung Fu Cheap

I took my kids to see Kung Fu Panda during their school break. My favorite part: It cost R18 for all 4 of us to see the movie. That would be the equivalent of $2.40 or $.60 per person. Now that is Kung Fu Cheap!

Movies are cheap here and on top of that we get discounts through our health insurance so they are even cheaper. And apparently kids that have had a dental check up this year see movies for free….so Skyler and Blake were free!

Nice to know with increasing prices on just about everything that somethings are still inexpensive!

Trip Highlights

We returned from our week trip to squatty potty heaven. It was a great week of ministry and there were many laughs in relation to our rough living conditions.

I had a few firsts like driving a large truck (I swear it is as long as a boat) with a trailer pulled behind it…thankfully I never had to back up. Marci and I were also the resident shoppers, purchasing food for 65 people (and toilet paper in bulk).

Definitely hit some LOL moments during our shopping sprees (which were often)…especially when we decided to save 20 cents per loaf of bread by using the bread slicer in the front of the store to slice our own loaves. After slicing 30 loaves of bread it was agreed we’d find cost savings elsewhere.

We filled the back of the truck multiple times with food and by weeks end our bread total hit 110 loaves.



The shining moments for me came with relation to my 9 year old daughter, Skyler. She decided to give up a week of her vacation (kids were on a 3 week break from school) and rough it with a bunch of strangers. She did an amazing job! The squatty potties, cold and bucket showers did not even seem to phase her. She even ate PB&J (a Teen Mania lunch staple) without complaints everyday with the team (not one of her favorites). Of course she had the best of both worlds as she got some of the leadership perks by hanging out with me but let’s face it how many perks can there be when roughing it?

I am so grateful for the things she is “catching” from the teenagers here. She worshiped freely with the team, had her own quiet times when the group did and learned the memory verses the teens were learning. She even jumped in on ministry when she was able (teaching in high schools was a bit over her head).

My favorite was when she researched scripture verses on how to lead someone to the Lord to help the ministry groups. It is in these moments I thank God she is “getting it” despite my parenting!



Okay enough bragging, I will return to wit…. This was another thing we came across when shopping for the teams…..

Yep that would be butter. They say it like it is here.

I was hoping "Fat Spread" in large print would deter the team from using so much butter but they would not be deterred.

If you'd like to read about the ministry highlights and see how we lived this past week you can do so on my ministry blog.

I'd like to be a Bear

Well it is multi-layer, curl up in warm blankets with hot chocolate cold in Johannesburg today and these arctic temps are forecast to stay. Tomorrow Skyler and I head out of town with our mission team here and will remain away for a week. Unfortunately where we are heading it is long underwear, hats and gloves, carry a hot water bottle with you cold (aka colder). Did I mention I hate being cold...really hate it?

Our destination is pretty remote so internet access is unlikely. Thus I leave you with this special post in honor of the frosty weather and my attempt to grin and bear it!

If I were an animal these are the reasons why I would be a bear....

As a bear, you get to hibernate. You are robed in a massive coat of fur and do nothing but sleep through winter. Skip the cold, I could deal with that!

Prior to hibernating, a bear is supposed to eat themselves stupid. I could deal with that too!

As a female bear, you birth your children (which are the size of walnuts) while your sleeping and wake to partially grown cuddly cubs. Again I could deal with that!

As a momma bear everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs and if your cubs get out of line you swat them too. Another attribute I could deal with.

If you are a bear your mate expects you to wake up growling. He expects you to have hairy legs and excess body fat.

And did I mention you get to hibernate through winter?

Yup, I'd definitely be a bear!

Hungry

How about some chicken for dinner?


Chicken feet that is!

I was in the meat section of my local supermarket and stumbled on these fun little guys. I decided they were too good to pass up. My kids were horrified when I showed them what was for dinner. Hey when in Africa be African right?


Wrong!

All About Ministry

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A South Amerafrican 4th

When raising children especially from a young age in a culture other than their own it is natural that they would absorb much if not more of the culture they are immersed in than their own. I understand this about my children but there are times it is drastically apparent. The 4th was one of those times.

It became clear that I am a slacker regarding my children’s education about their heritage when my nine year old (who is very bright) asked, “So what is the big deal about the 4th again?” Later while exercising her new found patriotism in making an American flag for the occasion she asked, “How many stars are there on the American flag?”

Yeah, I need to pull out the American history books soon!

We have a small group of Americans here so to celebrate the big day we organized a hot dog dinner (one of my least favorite meals of all time!) and a kickin’ bonfire with Smores. Nope no fireworks--too dry & quite anticlimactic compared to the good ole USA!

Everything had a South African flare to it...from the cold weather (thus the bonfire), to Smores made with Marie biscuits (they call cookies, biscuits here), Cadbury Chocolate bars and colored/flavored marshmallows (no plain white marshmallows).

We were so intent on making the biggest bonfire possible we did not take into account how difficult the blaze would make getting even arms length to roast the marshmallows……

A few brave souls risked the flames for a gooey dose of sugar....

The rest of us enjoyed the warmth until the blaze waned and then enjoyed African Smores…..


After singing patriotic songs to commemorate the occasion, my South African raised child decided to venture back to her culture of immersion. Skyler perched herself on a large rock and attempted to teach 22 teenagers the South African National anthem…..

It was a memorable South Amerafrican 4th of July!

Notice anything different about Skyler....

(other than the fact she is a bit blurry)

I'll give you a hint....click here