Where Have I Been?

Well the last 2 weeks I’ve been spending a lot of time in this…

Actually that is not my car but I have one just like it. See I’ve been spending so much time in it I couldn’t even get a picture of it! I’m thinking of getting a mini-frig installed for all the on-the-go snacks/meals and I wonder if they could put an espresso machine in the dash board?

I’m definitely learning the meaning of the words “Soccer Mom” minus the soccer part…hee! All the Christmas festivities that puts everyone in a tizzy the first 2 weeks in December in America is happening for us right now. The ending of this month marks the end of the school year and with no T-day celebration it is a mad dash to get the Christmas performances put to bed by Nov 30.

SO

We’ve been to a couple of these…..



School performances and award’s ceremonies for Blake and Skyler. Blake’s theme was “Around the World” and his class represented Spain, thus the hats. See the cute USA class…I hooped and hollered when they came out….give me a break I’ve been cooped up in a car for 14 days, gotta vent when the opportunity presents itself.

We’ve been to a few of these….


Sky’s ballet concerts…2 of them to be exact each 2 hours and 13 minutes in length. Yep I timed the last one. She has one more ballet exam next week and ballet party and than we are done for the year.

So why all the time in the car…because of the bazillion rehearsals (no exaggeration) leading up to each of these performances. I must admit where I don’t enjoy all the running around, we have really enjoyed watching the kids on stage. They definitely take to it well. Such fun memories and if your lucky perhaps I’ll figure out how to upload them (or is it download) onto You Tube. Aren’t you excited?

I soo wish I could take the credit for their evident talent but unfortunately to do so would be a fabrication of the truth (to put it nicely). I guess I will just have to live vicariously through them and cross my fingers that Santa will bring me a rhinestone studded microphone for Christmas.

One more school performance to go…it is Tori’s turn in the spotlight and the church Christmas play (which has another zillion rehearsals). Then just as things are picking up for you I will be sitting back slurping down the eggnog. Cheers to a quiet December!

For an update on recent ministry keeping us busy click here.

Bye Bye, Baby

Notice anything different about my “baby”…

No more Ci-Ci (pacifier)!

I know what you are thinking…"It is about time, she is almost 4." I know, I know but it was the last of the “baby things” and it was pretty fun to watch other people so bothered by Tori still having her pacifier..*gasp*, such awful parents.

She was definitely more ready than her parents were. Our friends Dan and Janell came over with their 11 month old little girl, Miesha and Tori decided she wanted to give her Ci-Ci to baby Miesha. I told her if she did I would buy her the much coveted Ariel dress she spotted in the store. And that was it, end of story, bye-bye pacifier, hello Ariel….



Well my baby may not be a baby anymore but she still is darn cute (and reducing the odds of an overbite is also a plus)!

Our Halloween

I’m betting our day was quite a bit different than yours….

For one my kids did not even know it was Halloween…no marketing, no hype, no witches and goblins, barely even a pumpkin! (Really kinda nice!!!)

There would be no trick or treating. I don’t know something about the large electronic fences with barb wire in front of every house and it being one of the most crime infested cities in the world that puts a damper on little kids adorned as cartoon characters ringing the bell and asking for candy. We call the police when a man wearing a mask appears at the door (gate really).

We did however enjoy some treats! Rolo’s, Nestle mint chocolate bar, gummies and chewy runts were among the choices tonight.

And it doesn’t have to be a special day for my special princess to pull out the “costume”.



So there you have it…Halloween check, onto Thanksgiving!

An Opportunity to be Part of a Miracle

I wanted to take this post and raise awareness of an opportunity we can all have in being a tangible part of a miracle in the lives of our friends Dave and Beth Hasz.

Rich and I went to college with Dave Hasz and spent many years serving together in ministry at Teen Mania. Along the journey we got to know his wife, Beth and for those of you that know her you would agree she is the epitome of the phrase, “Godly Woman”.

When Impact Africa was in its initial stages I was pondering over how to engage prayer warriors with us for this launch and to sustain the ministry. One of the very first people I thought of was Beth Hasz. I took her out for lunch and picked her brain on how to involve prayer warriors like herself in our ministry. Now when we go through times of hardship and doubt I feel the amazing strength of the prayers poured out on our behalf by people like Beth and the many like her.

Some of you may know this and for those of you that don’t Beth is battling cancer and now needs a remnant filling up the prayer bowls on her behalf.

There is another way you can help as well….Beth is seeking non-traditional treatment that is not covered by insurance. You can imagine the phenomenal costs incurred….there has been a benevolence fund set up specifically for the Hasz’s and these medical costs. Please click here and learn more about how you can help today!

Will you join with me in a prayer for Beth right now….

Father, we pray for my friend and your precious daughter, Beth. We pray that she would not become weary in doing good but that she would reap a harvest of health in due time and that she would be up girded by your strength and not give up.

Father, we thank you that by your stripes Beth is healed. We pray that her thoughts would be set on you…that she would see herself well, strong, healed, and chasing her children around in the yard.

Father, I ask that you would show me and those reading this how we can help Beth in a very tangible way. And I pray that as we ignite our faith with the Hasz family through our prayers and finances that they would be fertile seeds that will help bring about a miracle in Beth’s life.

Thank you precious Father!

On the Brink of Forty (still a Christian) & Sexier than Ever

Rich and my first short-term mission trip after we were married was to Ghana, Africa. It does not go down in my history book as my favorite mission trip albeit a good one! First, I got very sick. Second, we heard the clucking than chopping of our dinner most nights, and third leading together for the first time after doing so separately for so many years prior, Rich and I realized we had a lot to learn…thus the selflessness journey began.

The Ghanaian people as in the case of most African cultures are very spiritual people. One of my favorite African symbols originating from the Ghanaian people is the following…..

Its meaning: God Supremacy; he is above everything, and to him we owe what we have.

Good thing I like it so much because my husband recently had it permanently etched into his arm. Some may call it "trashy", others “cool”; I’ve termed it “on the brink of forty”!

My almost 40 year old hubby is sporting a new tattoo and in my opinion he looks sexier than ever. Although I must admit I was a little disappointed he did not get a tattoo of a heart with my name in it….maybe next time.

And for those readers belonging to the slightly older generation…we are pretty sure one can have a tattoo and still be a Christian. Hee!

Update...Here is a photo of the real deal...

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....