Birthday Gal

This week Elena had her second birthday.  She's definitely become a typical two year old by asserting herself more often and becoming quite comfortable with using the word NO! at full volume.  She does say quite a few sentences as well, not just this one.  Elena can often be heard saying, "Can I play?" or "Joel have blue shirt, Kezia have red shirt, Asha have green shirt".  And of course, "Molly no biting my sock", "Read libros," Vas a comer", "Hace Frio!", "Te quiero" and her all time favourite, "Musica quieres?".  She loves to listen to music and dance and if she's not counting to herself or chattering to us, she's always singing.

Elena is pretty small for her age, still wearing 18 month clothes and hitting the scale at 23lb.  If she would hold still long enough I would be able to measure her height, but Elena is a busy toddler.  Chasing the dog, charging up the stairs, carrying around books or her blanket, re-arranging the shoes, hiding mitts, opening drawers, dragging around chairs, flushing the toilet, applying copious amounts of lotion to her face, getting dressed into every dress up outfit, blowing her nose on a wad of toilet paper, emptying the dishwasher onto the floor, trying on all her socks and shoes, throwing toys down the stairs, shutting off the computer, turning on the television, taking apart the fan......

We had a lovely day celebrating her on her birthday.  She spent most of the morning doing her typical thing (see above), enjoyed a lovely nap with her colchita, and then opened some cards and presents after the older kids came home from school.  The wooden puzzle was a huge hit and she also loved the tutu and baby doll sling that the girls helped me make for her.  Joel picked out a very cute chair and every day she plops herself in to read a book.

Like she could chose, but we decided to go for Thai food for her birthday.  She quite enjoyed the vegetable rice wraps and shredding the paper napkins.  Once we got home, Elena had her little cupcake, and with a little prompting she smashed the cupcake gently into her face and mumbled, Que la muerda while she ate it.

What a unique child.  A precious one of a kind little gal.  We love you so much Elena Luz.

California, Fresno to be specific

That's where I headed with Elena and Carl last week.  Oh, it was so wonderful to be able to tag along before Carl's work retreat.  As we landed (no snow) and then walked to pick up our rental car (no snow), I sat Elena on the green grass (no snow) and asked Carl, "We don't live here because.....?".

It was almost like we had remembered it, like we hadn't left. Yet it had been almost 5 years ago that we called Fresno home.  The routes and freeways were all familiar again.  It was surreal that we were actually back.  Although with only one child instead of all four.

That evening Kevin and Rhonda hosted a party with lots of familiar faces from our homegroup and church.  Over the next few days we hardly slept but went from home to home visiting our friends.  It was orange season, so guess what we ate most of the time?  Thankfully we were able to see most of the people we had hoped, but of course we didn't have enough time to spend with everyone.  Carl said even if we had been there 2 weeks, it wouldn't have been sufficient; they are all that amazing.

It was hard leaving (back to the snow) because something about being there tugged at my heart.  I had wondered if a trip like this would only add to this restless feeling that crops up every once in a while.  I wondered if being back in the central valley where Spanish is heard almost everywhere would make me homesick for Bolivia.  Or was it homesick for Fresno?  Or sick of snow and cold?  Sigh......

I must say even heading back to frigid temperatures and leaving my spouse behind for a few more days, was all worth seeing the older three kids.  I had missed them dearly!  Though grandparents had a nice time taking care of them, for which we are grateful for, it was good to back with them.  Already Joel has planned our road trip to California.

See Ya!

Got my stuff packed and I'm sitting in an airport.  I packed my winter jacket in my luggage because when I get off the plane I will not be needing it.  It's been so bitterly cold lately that I'm giddy with joy to be escaping it for a while.  Wondering where I'm going?  Well, you'll have to wait until I get back......

Wanna guess?  Guess right and I promise to bring you a souvenir!

Gift of an Experience

This Christmas, Carl and I decided that part of our gift to the kids would be an experience.  So when a friend raved about a live children's show at the theatre, we decided to purchase the tickets.  When the kids opened their stockings, they were so excited about going.

On the day of, I decided to add to the adventure and take the three kids on local transit.  Kezia's eyes were wide with glee that we'd actually be riding on a bus.  I realized that for them it was a new venture and they had no clue what to do.  I showed them where to put the ticket and where to sit.  They had many questions, "How does the driver make change?"  "He doesn't do that here,".  "How does he know when you want to stop?"  "You pull the yellow cord".  "Wow. That seems pretty cool, but wouldn't it be funny just to yell out 'Pare!' anyways?".  "Yeah, that would be kind of hilarious....".

Once we got to the theatre, we found our seats no problem.  After a lovely visit with a friend we hadn't seen in ages, the show was about to begin.  It was a 3 person play acting out 5 of Robert Munsch's stories.  It was pretty hilarious and the kids loved it.

So often we wonder what to give our kids as a gift.  What more can a kid need?  Over the last few years we've realized that experiences are something they will never have to pack up, give away, or leave behind like a toy or piece of clothing.  And it really blesses the giver to be able to experience it along with them.

Teeth

Some of us are losing, some of us are gaining.....

We were told that puppies start losing their teeth around 4 months and Molly was right on schedule.  It was kind of weird looking into her mouth and seeing these jagged bits of enamel hanging crookedly in her mouth. The adult teeth came in pretty quick after the baby ones fell out.  The strangest is that her new molars have grown on the outside of the old ones (her jaw is growing) so she looks kind of like a shark with two rows of back teeth.  The kids and I are fascinated and love to roll her over and peer into her mouth.  We've always been interested in dentistry!  Carl however, thinks it's gross and wants nothing to do with this daily ritual we have.

Elena has successfully grown in her eye teeth.  Hallelujah, because she was a bit of a grump.  But then the 2 year molars started to come in in full force and the mood didn't really change with her.  Well, understandably so because her mouth aches.  I was so happy to peer into her mouth (I washed my hands after mucking around in the dog's mouth) and see that the bottom molar finally broke through.  And then my heart sank as I saw that the top ones are bulging.  More pain on the way.  Well, her amber necklace seems to help and I bought these homeopathic teething tablets that take the edge off.  It's a stage and it's life.  Wouldn't want to wish it to go any faster (well, most days....)

Asha hasn't lost any teeth yet.  She's getting a little impatient as some of her classmates have been losing teeth.  Maybe her 6 year molars will come before any of her milk teeth come loose, who knows?  Kezia has some teeth filling in her spaces in her mouth and Joel keeps reminding me that he hasn't lost teeth in over 2 years.  His money making project has slowed down a bit.....

School

Who, the kids?  No me!  I'm back at school and at times wondering why I was crazy enough to take on yet another task.  But I've had one class and I love it.  So how did this all start?

I've been wanting to go back to school for some time, but with being out of the country for a while, that was put on hold.  Carl and I have always talked about taking turns and since he was the last student in the household, it was time for me to go back.

Then I had a conversation this past summer with a friend I went to university with years ago.  She gave me some good advice and pointed out that all through my career as a teacher, it seemed I was often put into similar positions; positions that were involved with resource or transitional students.  She encouraged me that in order to make myself more marketable and also to pursue what I seemed to be groomed for, I should enroll to complete a certificate specializing in Special Education.  She didn't think I would take her up on her advice, but I did.

The class I'm taking, Promoting Positive Behaviour, is just once a week, but definitely a graduate level class.  Lots of on-line discussions and post, lots of reading and a student behavioural and assessment plan.  My other colleagues come from a variety of backgrounds and different stages in their teaching career, so I don't feel oddly unique in my situation.  The plan is that each session I will take a course and though I have nine years to complete it, I want to be well on my way to complete it in the next few years.  I may think I'm superwoman at times, but realistically I don't know if I can juggle going back to teaching, co-managing our busy family and trying to finish up courses.  Something would suffer.

Anyways, I may not have as much time to blog or you may find me here more often as I procrastinate!  Either way, it's going to be a good semester.  One quote that our professor left us with that has me thinking and may get me to reflecting here is,

 If you punish a child for being naughty, and reward him for being good, he will do right merely for the sake of the reward; and when he goes out into the world and finds that goodness is not always rewarded, nor wickedness always punished, he will grow into a man who only thinks about how he may get on in the world, and does right or wrong according as he finds either of advantage to himself.  

- Immanuel Kant 1724-1804

2012 Look Back

I had grandiose plans of going through all my pictures and posting the most favourite of 2012, but then life got a bit busy and so I decided that instead of waiting until I had time (ha!) I would write about my thoughts on 2012.

Overall it was a good year.  It started off with amazing news of jobs and the opportunity to move from the awful transitional state of stillness and waiting.  Both Carl and I were blessed with being pleasantly surprised with our roles, how much we fit them, how much joy it gave us.  It just reminded us how God works and how He places us in unexpected places.

With jobs we were able to purchase a home, for which I am continually thankful for.  The space, the neighbours, the connections we are making because of this building we have been gifted has just been wonderful.  Even with the fire and the overwhelming task of culling and sorting our material things, I learned a lot about dependence and faith.

Our kids.  Wow.  This year has been really good for them.  They showed me how adaptable they are and how they just embrace life.  New experiences like resuming piano and gymnastics, which were so different from Bolivia were met with courage and enthusiasm.  Sure, it wasn't all perfect, but I was humbled at how they took things in stride (and I sat and sulked over such simple things in the meantime).  It amazed me how they grew and entered into new stages.  Not all stages are fun, but all are life giving if you chose that perspective.

I still have pangs of homesickness for Bolivia.  I found that during the summer, with moving and the lack of air conditioning in our new home reminding me of the south, my thoughts didn't linger as long on Bolivia.  But with the fall and the snow, I  have been much more melancholy if you would call it.  I struggle with the guilt and the unexpected flashbacks that leave me feeling quite sad at times.

But other things have been on my mind this year.  I got to thinking a lot about poverty and justice when my friend challenged me to ride.  Which made me question my purchases, how I spend my time and what I'm doing on a regular basis to alleviate pain and suffering around me and also bring joy.  I also really struggled with witnessing so much brokenness around me with close friends.  I asked God where He was when babies were born sleeping, or when marriages were being attacked, or close friendships crumbled to dust or when someone dies so senselessly.

It seemed that in 2011, there were so many emotions that ricocheted from one spectrum to another, leaving me quite tired.  One moment of pure joy and happiness and then despair and anger.  Being so overwhelmed with God's provision and His perfect timing only to witness what appears to be a hopeless and lonely situation.  Up and down and up and down.  That's how I entered into 2012.

This year (2012) however, I don't think the happenings have caused my emotions and thoughts to act like a hyperactive yo-yo, but more like a deep sea dive.  Sometimes I feel like I'm just treading water, which can be exhausting, but at least you can breath and see the surface.  Actually treading water isn't that bad and you get stronger doing it, well your legs do, but not your lungs.

But then for whatever reason, I'm plunged below the surface to go farther down than I anticipated, staying down longer than I wanted.  I'm terrified of deep water, so this analogy actually leaves me with goosepimples.  Down, down, down I go.  I panic because I can't breath.  Oh yes, He's provided with a breathing device.  I have to trust, and just breath.  But there are fish everywhere and they might bite me or even worse, just swim close and graze me with their slimy bodies.  Panic! and I try to struggle to the surface.  Okay, I can't go up yet, so after I pry open my eyes and attempt to relax, I can see all that is around me.  There are beautiful fish and amazing coral and vegetation that leave me in awe.  But then there is also death as the life cycle of the sea continues on.  I stay a while and see it all.  Then I return to the surface and resume treading.  At some other point I may go on another dive, I don't know where, or when or for how long.  And I don't know what I will learn or experience.

I think I'm changing too.  Maybe I'm getting old.  Or maybe this year is a season where I'm being prepared for something (ach, I admit I loathe that phrase) or will be changed.  Who knows what is in store for 2013....

The Christmas Season

It was a good one.  I must say that I quite enjoyed preparing for Christmas this year.  Last year I didn't feel like taking part in any of it, life and I were having a rough time.  But this year, even though I wouldn't say that I was oozing with glee and excitement, I put my mind towards engaging into advent and the Christmas season.

We did a great reading as a family and of course the highlight for the kids was having some Halloween candy afterwards.  Do we not eat enough candy in this house or are the treat fairies just too good to us?  The daily readings and prayers helped focus me and reminded me of what is really important and that translated into how I shopped and spent my December.

Since my parents went to Calgary for Christmas to see my grandmother, Carl and I and the kids had a slow holiday.  It was quite nice.  I remember from years ago, dashing from family gathering to gathering with  wailing kid(s) in tow only to crash at home way too late, trying to shove in a load of laundry for the next day's party, hardly having time to enjoy that new book or even think of trying on that sweater from grandma.  This year reminded me of our past holidays in Bolivia.  Slow, with lots of good food and family time and smatterings of friends over.  It was good to have familiar faces at our table and new people that we hardly knew.  We spent the 24th with Wendell and Shana and the kids during the day and at a candle light service that Carl and I led in the evening.  Elena, in true form, kept wandering up to the piano while I played whispering loudly that she wanted milk.  After, we went home and had a traditional Bolivian meal, gave Elena her precious milk, and then opened our stockings.

The morning of the 25th, we exchanged our gifts.  This year we pulled tickets amongst ourselves which was a huge hit.  You should have seen the look of pride on Asha's face when Carl opened the gift she chose for him.  And Joel told me a number of times he was so happy I loved the sweater he bought me.  Definitely something we plan on turning into a family tradition.

We did enjoy Christmas gatherings with our families, just after the 25th.  Sadly, one of Carl's uncles passed away on Christmas day, so we also had a funeral to attend.  But at the celebration of his life they said, "He got the best present anyone could imagine...Christmas in heaven".  Yes, that was a comfort to think of.  The 27th was spent with the Heppner family, the 29th with the Plett and the 1st with the Buhler family.

I am thankful for this time to celebrate as a family, both as immediate and with extended members.  No school, no work, just time together.  Eating with friends and family, playing games and being blessed by each other's company.  Remembering how that lil' baby Jesus was born in that far off land and how today and now He is with us still.