The Well Rounded Mama

Summer Highlights

Time at the beach

Bonfire

Getting pounded by the waves

Kitchen helper

Lucy Lovin'

Friends lovin'  on the baby

Seeing beautiful growth and maturity

These two back together

New looks

Feeling patriotic

Kitchen helpers who eat more than they help

Strawberries and powdered sugar...and the mess that follows

10 am on a Saturday morning

Boat rides and happy kids

Triple stack

Kissing baby

UNO H₂0

New spaces

Legos + Lucy

Levi + Lucy

Interuppting some gardning to snap a picture of this guy

Little people caught unaware

First snips

School planning

Finding toes

Celebrating with friends

Happy smiles

First foods...gags and smiles

 

It's been a great summer. Six days left.

Random iPhone Photos

Back when iPhones first came out, I got one.  We were living in Orlando at the time and we would often be out all day (our work hours were mornings and then afternoon/evenings).  I was thick into my online presence, both with blogging every day and with selling digital scrapbooking templates.  I hated being gone all day, always worried about checking email so that my customers wouldn't be waiting for me to fix a problem. Enter iphone.  I loved being able to check email every so often and then be able to relax and enjoy my family.  I also loved that the phone had a decent quality camera.

When we moved to Indonesia, the phone got put away.  After about a year or so, Jason's phone broke and so he got out the iphone, had it unlocked, and he has been using it ever since. It's nice being able to use an iPhone for less than $10 a month (what it costs to "top up" our card.  We never actually run out of money, but they limit how long you can run on the same top up card). 

I am usually carrying around my big camera, but every once in a while I leave it home and am thankful to have Jason's phone to grab. Also, Jason is often out without me and although he doesn't usually take pictures, sometimes he surprises me.

Since Jason doesn't charge his phone at the computer, we rarely download photos.  But when we do, it is fun to see the randomness that emerges.  So here, for your viewing pleasure, totally unedited randomness from the Phillips iPhone.

 

Rain pouring in through the roof of a restaurant

 

The rain is just sometimes INSANE here!

 

As are intersections!

 

Photobooth for the iphone

 

Alaina posing at "one tree hill" -- a favorite hiking spot for staff this year. And notice the skirt and flip flops for hiking...her motto is, "If the Duggar girls can do it, so can I!"

 

Sometimes I am literally scared for my life as we drive behind these crazy-packed trucks. Notice the distance I ask Jason to keep from them!

 

One of our favorite new things in Bandung. Little things get make you happy when you have been away from little American luxuries for so long!

 

And the kids like that they turn their tongues different colors.  And yes, Levi is wearing a Superman outfit out in public.  Because, you know, it was just one of those days.  One of those days where I realized that I was "that mom" -- the one who lets her daughter go out looking like this (sock muscles and all).  How can I say no to "Super Sissy!"

The hotel where we have a membership is one of the most beautiful places. I just love the pool at night.

 

Just me and my girl

 

Not sure about this one. Looks like Jason and Katie took a ride into the kampung (local village). I love that Katie is holding her "elephant elly."  "Elly" has become the word for "comfort item" around this house. Caleb has a green-stuffed elephant and the rest of the kids have blankies.  But when Katie was little, she just thought "Elly" was the term for people special things.  So now everyone has an Elly.  Katie, well, she has three.  She has her "big elly" (a big pink blanket), her "flower elly" (a smaller flowered blanket), and her "Elephant Elly" (pictured above).

 

___

 

So how is that for some randomness today?

Five Years

 

It's hard to believe that it has been five years since this little guy entered our lives.  Five years ago, on a Monday in Malaysia, my doctor told me that my fluid levels were too low and he induced me right then and there.  Five years ago I waited for my baby to arrive, being very much surprised at the words, "It's a boy" (although we had decided to wait to find out, I was pretty convinced I was having a girl!)  Five years ago little Levi Sebastian entered my life and I have never been the same.

 

I won't even try to come up with words for this kid.  Suffice it to say, he has been a joy from day one.  Never has the world seen a happier kid, an easier kid, or a sweeter kid.  He has never gone through a "hard" stage (we won't talk about potty training, though) and he has been blessing us with big belly laughs since he was three months old.  He is all Jason, in a little boy's body, and I couldn't love him more.

 

His birthday, like everyone else's, fell on a Sunday this year which meant we all got to spend the day together. He chose to go to the zoo for the day, but not before his birthday breakfast.  The plan these last few months was that he wanted to go to McDonald's for breakfast (something we have only done a few times) but at the last minute decided he wanted rainbow sticky rice instead.  He wanted it rainbow colored, but insisted that he did NOT want it in a rainbow shape.  He also instructed me that the words, "BIRTHDAY BOY" were to be on the cake.  His wish was my command!

 

Next, we were headed off to the zoo.  I snapped a few pictures before we left.

 

And I had Jason snap a few (don't mind the wet hair)

And one of the little lady...

 

Now on to the zoo.  You have to understand...Levi LOVES animals.  Loves them more than anything.  So it is only natural that he would want to go to the zoo (wearing one of his many animal shirts). However, let me say that this zoo is pretty sad and pathetic.  There are actually a number of animals but the conditions are so horrific that in the west, I am sure that the zoo owners would be carted off to prison for animal cruelty.  Thankfully, the kids still enjoyed it...along with half our city on a Sunday morning.

My kids loved being able to feed the animals.  We limited it to grass though...unlike the hoards of other people feeding them peanuts, Cha-Chas (like M&M's), and even cigarettes (yes, Jason actually saw an orangutan smoking!) 

 

At least there were some pretty sights...

After the zoo it was off to our what-now-seems-to-be-traditional birthday lunch...pizza and slurpees.  Though I have to admit we have had so many birthdays that the only person who actually wanted pizza and slurpees was Levi...but he was the birthday boy so we couldn't really say no.

 

 

And I have to slip this one in since it was a special day for her too:  one month!

 

That night, we celebrated with some friends. Levi had told me that he wanted chocolate cake with blue icing.  On the morning of his birthday he said what he really wanted was animal cupcakes.  I am not that talented, especially on a few hours notice. So instead, I pulled these off.  They don't look great, but it was the best I could do.  I'm no cookie or cake decorator! But for what they lack in looks, they make up for in taste.  I use this recipe for the cookies (rolled out nice and thick!) with a powdered sugar glaze icing and they are YUM!  Little zebra striped cookies on top of chocolate cupcakes with white icing...animal cupcakes.

 

And never have I seen a cuter or happier boy than when we were all singing to him.

 

 

Little Levi, I hope all your wishes (and more!) come true.  You are such a blessing in our lives and I can't wait to see what God has planned for you.  Keep smiling, keep laughing, and spread that joy to everyone you meet!

 

A Little Getaway

While still in the hospital, I proposed a little trip away.  Bethany was due March 23, which was over spring break, so we couldn't really plan anything ahead of time.  But when she made her arrival on the 17th instead, I wanted to take advantage of the whole family being together.

In addition, whenever we have a new baby arrive, we like to do something special for the other kids.  We like to make sure they know they are loved and cared for and that we are still the same family...just plus one.

 

So, I suggested a trip to Jakarta, a place we all love. And since Jason is usually up for anything, he agreed.

 

So, crazy as it may sound, at five days old we packed up Bethany and the rest of the kids and headed out of town for three days.  And it was WONDERFUL.  There is just something so amazing about getting away from home...being able to focus on the people you love most without the distractions of dishes, house cleaning, and regular life.

On the first day, we spent a few hours at a cultural park called Taman Mini.  The park is HUGE and we barely scratched the surface, but it was really amazing.  The park has replicas of houses from all over Indonesia.  Since we haven't been able to travel much since being here, it was really cool to see how incredibly diverse this country is.  The kids had a blast seeing the houses and even more so, stopping at EVERY. SINGLE. animal statue to have a picture taken.

 

 

The most interesting/entertaining part of the day for me? 

Well, it's a toss up. 

First, there was the truck we had to use the bathroom in (see photo, left hand side about half way down).  Jason went to look for the bathrooms and they said they were remodeling so there were temporary bathrooms in the truck.  When Jason came back and told us, I said there was no way I was using a truck (I've been in Asia long enough to imagine all sorts of horrors).  However, once we went over there I was pleasantly surprised that the truck was actually a bathroom on wheels...three stalls and even a sink.  Of course the sink was filled with building supplies and couldn't actually be used, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Second, there was the lovely comment from one of the workers.  I walked into one of the houses, ahead of Jason and the stroller.  The lady looked at me, patted my belly, and said, "Hamil?" (meaning pregnant).  "Tidak, saya sudah melahirkan" (No, I've already given birth). "Bayi saya hanya lima hari." (My baby is just five days old).  "Anda harus memakai korset!" (You need to be wearing a corset!)  Thanks, lady.

 

After the park we headed to our favorite hotel.  We decided to treat ourselves to the two bedroom place and it was AMAZING. We worked with a travel agent and got the upgrade for just a bit more than the regular one bedroom and it was SO worth it.  There were two bedrooms, a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and a huge living room/dining room. We loved it.  There was a lot of...

 

Good food eating...

 

Playground playing...

 

Water Fighting...

 

Baby Holding...

 

Snoozing...

 

Picture taking...

 

And just enjoying being a new family of seven. It was amazing and so very refreshing.

"Want to go to the beach?"

I woke up on Monday morning and took a walk.  I was feeling the reality of the fact that while I have been being good with really resting during this pregnancy, I haven't been as good at continuing to get adequate exercise. So, I got up and at about 6:15, headed out down my street.

It was a gorgeous morning.  The mountains were clear, the views stunning, the fresh air invigorating.  I kept thinking, "I need more of this."

So twenty minutes later, I got home and said to Jason, "Want to go to the beach?"

Jason had mentioned a number of times in the past few months about wanting to go to the beach over our Christmas break.  I was very hesitant, mostly because of the long drive and my intense desire to "just be home."

So, although this beach was a place he had wanted to go, Jason doesn't quite have my level of spontaneousness and was rather shocked at my suggestion that we go...and that we leave in a few hours. So I gave him some time to process (a whole hour! Ha!) and finally we decided to go for it.  We packed up for a few days with no plan other than "to go to the beach" and we headed out.  The kids were thrilled...love that they are always up for an adventure!

The drive was longer than anticipated (turned out to be about six hours) and deciding on a hotel wasn't a smooth process, but in the end we found a gorgeous place to stay.  I SO wish pictures could do it justice...but there is just no way.  We had a family suite at a gorgeous homestay.  The whole place was filled with gardens and flowers and stone paths. We had our own porch out back and I declared it one of the most amazing places ever.  It would make a gorgeous honeymoon location!

Out our front door

 

Around the hotel grounds

 

The kids loved the giant chess set

 

My sweet girl working on her own Photo a Day project

My other sweet girl just being her beautiful, happy self.

___

We were only gone for two nights but we were able to make it to the beach a few times.  It was just a few minute walk and it was nice to just spend a few hours playing in the sand and the water.  It was really fun to see the kids get used to beach and the waves and to go from being timid to just LOVING the waves.  I'm so glad that they are good enough swimmers (other than Katie) that they can venture out on their own.  It took some time though!

The first time we visited it was mainly just to check it out.  The sand is a dark volcanic sand and the kids were quite excited to change clothes and come back to play.

Later in the day (after eating and swimming in the pool) we headed back to the beach.  Alaina was ready to get in the water but the boys and Katie were quite content to play in the sand.

The next morning we headed to the beach once again, and this time the kids were much more interested in the water.  It started with a lot of just being close to mom and dad...

 

 

And sitting at the edge of the water, getting used to the feel of the waves...

And then the girls were ready to start venturing out a bit farther...the boys would take a few steps and retreat back to the beach.

And of course, they were photographed 18 bazillion times by any Indonesian that walked by.

Eventually, though, the boys decided the waves were worth exploring and they had a great time.  Caleb -- more than once -- declared playing in the waves "the best thing EVER!"

I don't have more pictures of them playing in the water because we were all so busy enjoying being together in the waves.  But believe me when I say they had a blast and I just loved watching their fear dissipate and their love of the ocean grow.

We headed back home that day...a short but oh-so-sweet trip. The drive home was long...another six hours...but at least we were able to enjoy the gorgeous views. A lot of this...

And a good deal of this...

Getting away is just so good...we had some hard moments but good things came of it...maybe even life changing. I am thankful for my burst of spontaneity and thankful my family could indulge me. Three days away on a trip to the beach with my family...the best $150 ever spent.

Thanksgiving Wekend Part Two

While Thanksgiving brings up thoughts of turkey, pie, and pumpkin goodness, the holiday is much more than that. The holiday began as people wanted to express their gratefulness to God for his abundant provision. Those that shared in that first Thanksgiving meal had known hardship...but they had also trusted in God and believed in HIs promises to care for them.  As they ate, they realized that despite hard times and seasons of loss, God was still God and everything they had was because of Him.

 

So how do we teach our kids to be thankful? It is more than making them say, "Thank you" when someone does something for them or gives something to them (though we insist on this as an act of courtesy).  No, being thankful is much more than just saying the words.  A thankful spirit recognizes, like the first celebrants of Thanksgiving did, that God has provided all we have and that He is the giver of all good gifts. I want my kids to see the great provision in their own lives (even if it at times feels like less that we would want).  I want them to see that although we may not be able to buy all that we like or do all that we would like, that God has still richly given to us.  We have more than the majority of the people on the planet. There are over a billion people living on less that $1 a day. We have been blessed and we dare not take it for granted. We have been richly blessed so that we can richly bless others.

We have a long way to go in learning how to bless others with a grateful heart, but we are trying.  We are trying to show our kids -- in word and deed -- that our love for God and our thankfulness towards Him is meant to overflow onto others.  And so, this past Thanksgiving weekend, we made a small attempt to let our kids be a part of that.  For them, it isn't yet out of a heart of compassion, but action brings feeling (not always the other way around as most people believe).

On Thursday morning, Jason and the kids went with our house helper to the pasar (local market) to make some purchases.  Our plan was to go out on Friday with packets of hot food to give some of the many beggars on the streets.  Every time we go to town, we pass many of the same people.  We often give money and our kids take great pleasure in rolling down their window and handing out a few coins (The discussion about giving to beggars is long and involved and one we have struggled with since we first moved to India over ten years ago. At this time, we feel led -- for a variety of reasons -- to give.) So while I prepared some food for our Thanksgiving meal, food was being purchased for others.

On Thursday afternoon, after our meal, Jason and some of the kids went to another store to buy some more provisions.  Our friends' plan was to go into the local village and bring dry goods (sugar, rice, oil, noodles, tea, etc) to some of the widows and orphans.  We picked up some of these same provisions to put into gift bags for our house help. Later that night, we met back at our friends house and all the kids (7 of them) worked to pack to bags of rice and other things for them to bring to the village.

On Friday morning, our helper Ibu Yenni worked hard to prepare the food (I totally would have done it, but as an Indonesian, Yenni is much more qualified to know how to cook for other Indonesians!) As the food was ready, we set up an assembly line and put together the hot packets of food: rice, tofu, chicken, and vegetables.

 

 

 

(Levi wasn't too excited about doing this at first...but as the morning went on, he got more and more into it)

 

 

Katie was the spoon girl and took her job very seriously!

 

 

 

 

 

When all was done, we had 27 packets of hot food, ready to be served.

 

Unfortunately, by the time we were ready to go out, Alaina's "little bit of warm" had turned into a full fledged fever and she was lying on our bed with barely a peep out of her.  Not my usual go-get-'em little girl.

 

 

We gave her some medicine in the hopes that the fever would come down enough that she would at least want to ride along, but no luck. The fever stayed high so we made the decison that Jason and the other kids would go without us.  The food was hot and really needed to get out there. The boys (and Katie) headed out.

 

 

From what they tell me, things went well.  The visited a few different areas...the roads right outside our development, the area where we get off the toll road (and often see beggars), and a few streets downtown. For some of the people they got out of the car to bring the food and for others they just handed it out the window.  Along with driving and wrangling three kids, Jason was able to get a few photos.

 

Caleb making his first delivery

 

 

In these next photos, the man was asleep so they decided to just leave the food next to him.  But as they started to leave, he woke up and started eating.

 

 

 

Bandung traffic...

 

Some of the beggars they gave food to

 

 

And some of the people downtown...

 

 

 

____

We're so thankful...thankful for all that we have been given, thankful for a God who loves us, thankful that we get daily reminders that there are more important things than the newest gadgets and designer clothes, thankful that we are able to serve in a variety of ways, thankful that our kids can see what true need looks like so that they don't mistake their wants for "need", thankful that God allows us to take part in the work that He is doing, thankful that He answers prayers such as, "Lord, break my heart with the things that break Yours," thankful that He is so, so patient with us as we take little baby steps into dying to self and giving our lives to others.

Thoughts on the Holidays

I have a LOT of Thanksgiving weekend photos.  It was a great weekend. It was filled with food, family, fun, some hard work, some sickness, some rough moments, and some quiet times of cuddles and kissing boo-boos.

 

First, though, I want to say I have been giving a lot of thought to the holidays.  Raising kids overseas is full of so many amazing opportunities and experiences.  I love that my kids are growing up with a world perspective and I love knowing they are building attitudes and skills that will carry them far in life. I would choose this life for them above most (all?) others.

That said, there are some disadvantages to being overseas.  There are the obvious things like being away from family, lack of "typical" American kid opportunities, and a few other things that we miss from time to time.  Holidays, especially big ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas, are hard.  I love that we can escape the materialism overload but I am sad that the other beautiful things about this time of year are missed. 

• Football games in the fall
• Trick or treating in fun costumes
• Changing leaves
• Christmas music in every public venue
• Gorgeous church services
• Driving around looking at lights
• Nice meals with family
• Christmas carolling
• Snuggling up in warm sweaters
• Hot cocoa in front of a warm fire
• Family traditions
• Christmas Morning with cousins and grandparents
• Etc...

 

We miss out on a lot, I admit.  However, we also gain amazing opportunities during this time.  In fact, my thoughts about all of this have stemmed from the fact that we get so many great (although not typical) opportunities around the holidays.  Beach trips for the weekend? Sure. Fly to another country for a day or two?  Easy. Pot luck meals with lots of other family-less families?  Done. 

So how do we choose? How do we know what to say yes to and what to turn down?

As our kids get older, these decisions get harder.  I want each of my kids to embrace their life as a TCK (Third Culture Kid), but I also want them to understand and appreciate their passport country of America.  I want them to be ready to reintegrate into that culture, whenever the time comes (perhaps college?)  When someone talks to them about their Thanksgivings or Christmas's growing up, what do I want my kids to picture?  What traditions do I want them to recall fondly?  What do I want them to be able to say they did every year?  What foods do I want them to think of when they are asked their favorite holiday meals?

I don't have all the answers, but Jason and I are starting to form some ideas of how we want to instill traditions that they can carry with them throughout their lives as well as help them intertwine the unique experiences that growing up overseas can offer them.  A delicate mix of their American heritage (a heritage that they may want to embrace fully as adults) and an embracing of the amazing childhood in a third world country (that includes other families and kids in the same situation!) A little this way, a little that way.  A balancing act.

 

Really, we get the best of both worlds.  We just need to figure out how to make it all work.

 

Stay tuned for photos of our weekend (and one of our first real attempts at this balancing act.)

 

 

Clean Water Project

As I mentioned before in this post, our international school just had its annual Week Without Walls.  The students (preschool to grade 12) were divided into different groups, each one going out into the community to do one thing...serve.  Groups participated in projects such as washing motorbikes (preschoolers), baking, visiting local schools, creating a soup kitchen, and more.

 

The staff were also divided into various groups, and Jason was part of a group participating in a clean water project.  A community downtown was identified.  They are a group of 37 people living along a dirty "river" that is basically just filthy water flowing through the city.  Their homes are tiny shacks, built two high, that sit along a 3 foot path next to the "river." When Jason and one of the other team leaders first visited the area, the community had no running water.  No toilets, no showers, no faucets.  Nothing.  There was the "river" and some other random places for them to get water.

 

The original plan was for the team to pipe in water, but after talking with the community and some other people, they learned that for around $300 US, the city would pipe them in clean, running water.  The money was donated and the work was done.

 

 

So, the team took on some other projects.  They teamed up with another group who create and sell water filters (this is the same group I did some graphic design work last year for when they were creating a dental educational program).  These water filters allow people to use regular tap water and then after being filtered, it is drinkable.  For most people here, us included, drinking water has to be purchased.  The tap water is fine for bathing and washing clothes, but not for drinking.  These ceramic water filters allow people to clean tap water at home, saving them a lot of money.

 

The team also took on the project of building a bridge for the community.  The homes sit next to about 3 feet of rocky pavement that runs along the "river." There is one small spot on the other side of the "river" where the people can stand, hang laundry, etc.  Up to this point, if they had to cross, they just walked through it.  The team spent a day constructing a great bridge for them to use.

 

 

On the final day, I had the privilege of getting to go into the community with the team.  I had no idea how SMALL the area was, and so in order to stay out of the way, I spent most of the morning sitting on the steps of one of the homes.  There was literally no where else to go.  But from my vantage point, I got to see the team at work and the community being blessed.

 

The students started the morning by performing a skit about the woman at the well (John 4).  No set or props needed!

 

Next, the team brought in the boxes and bags of gifts that they had collected for the community.  The kids were blessed with clothes and toys, and the adults received clothes and toiletries.

 

After the gifts were distributed, the community carefully walked to their homes to put stuff away.

The next project for the morning was to construct a bathing/shower stall for the people.  The idea was to create a place where the people could bathe with some privacy. Jason told me that while the men in the community didn't really see the need, the women were very grateful.

They also bought and taught the people to use a hose/sprayer that could be attached to one of the two faucets that have running water.

 

 

The final part of the morning was when another one of the school groups came in to serve lunch.  They set up in one of the homes and then dished out yummy curry to the people.

The people gathered around their new water source, eating lunch.

 

A quick look into a home...

This is the home where I sat for most of the morning. I estimate that the entire first floor was 4 feet x 6 feet. This picture shows almost the entire width.  There was a second floor above.

 

The view from my seat:

This is inside another home.  This home was used for the education program on how to use the water filters and for setting up the soup kitchen.  At approximately 6x9 on the first floor, I think it was the biggest house they could use for these programs.

 

As I contemplate eating some stuffing left-overs and most of you are currently sleeping off your turkey indulgences, let us remember that in EVERYTHING we are to give thanks.  Not just once a year.  Not just when we have good health.  Not just when we realize we can afford a bigger house.  "Give thanks in everything for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18). Give thanks when you turn on the water to brush your teeth or wash your hands.  Give thanks when you sit down to eat your next meal. Give thanks when you have clothes that fit, places to play, and privacy to enjoy.  And remember, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).

 

If you want to see more pictures from the day, see the album here: CLEAN WATER PROJECT

Help and Serve

Our school (where Jason teaches and our kids go for a few classes) is getting ready to have their Week Without Walls.  It is a time for students to get out and serve others in our community.

Alaina is VERY excited.  She has the sweetest little heart a seven year old can have.  She is currently wavering between wanting to grow up and move to Ethiopia and take care of orphans and move back to India (where she was born).  I can't wait to see what great things God has planned for her.

 

In her excitement for this next week, she wrote a poem.  This was totally something she came up with on her own and about ten minutes ago she showed it to me.  I am one proud mama.

 

HELP AND SERVE
Alaina Phillips, November 19, 2010

Get dirty to help
but have fun
In a way to love others

Oh yes
Oh yea

Have fun today
But care for others

Oh yes
Oh yea

My best thing to say
To care for others in a way to have the best to serve

Oh yes
Oh yea

I give today to the poor
I have my life here to thank God for

I do, I do
I love God so much
To help the needy in any way

I give my life today to help the others that need help

But I do say that I will help and serve the way I will
To please God

Oh yes
Oh yea

 

 

Tap, Tap, Tap...Is This Thing On??

As many of you know, we are expecting our fifth child.  And anyone who knows me knows that pregnancy is very, very hard on me.  And that, my friends, is all I have to say about the lack of blogging. 

 

So now, some updates:

 

First and foremost: Baby.  Number 5.  Wow. Sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea, and sometimes I just smile knowing there will be a new little one to love and cherish.  The kids are SO, SO excited. Caleb has informed me that he just can't wait longer than ten more days.  I hate to break it to him, but 25 weeks is a little longer than 10 days. He'll get through it.  And so will I.  I've been sick, sick, sick, and tired beyond belief, but I know that eventually those things will subside and we can really get excited for a new little one.  My sweet Katie is going to be a big sister! Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord!

 

 

MISS KATELYNN: Oh, where do I begin?  My little two year old is "A little sugar and a whole lot of spice!" Man, I LOVE this girl and at the same time...wow.  Just wow.  We call her "our first two year old."  We are definitely in new parenting territory with a girl who says no, likes to hit, does the opposite of what we say, and generally thinks that rules are for other kids.

 

On the other hand, she is sweet and spirited and totally hilarious.  Even when she is being naughty, she is so stinkin' funny I can't stand it.  If we say, "Katie, are you trouble?", she will respond with, "Yea, and I naughty too!"  She routinely grabs one of the boy's swords and says, "Arggg!" to the nearest person around.  She loves her Daddy with everything in her and she loves to grab you by the hand and say, "Follow me." She loves her baby dolls and is the most maternal little kid I have ever seen. She asks for food all day long and eats almost nothing. She gives the best hugs known to man and she tells us she has three babies in her tummy. She changes her clothes about ten times a day and melts my heart every time she says, "I want you!"

 

LEVI:  I keep begging him to stay little forever.  I just can't get him to agree.

 

Levi has been my angel child.  He has never gone through a tough stage and he has always been the most sweet and hilarious kid. He loves to laugh and will do anything to get himself or others to chuckle. He gives me more kisses and hugs than I know what to do with and he has a new obsession with getting ready for bed in the early afternoon.  He loves to help me in the kitchen and every day he asks me, "Is it time for homeschool?"  He gets along with all of the kids equally well and has a hard time deciding who to be "buddies" with each day.  I regularly find him laying on "the big pillow" on our floor when I wake up in the morning, regardless of the fact that is never where he starts his night.  He lights up my life.

 

 

CALEB: Never in all the world has there been a kid like Caleb.  He marches to the tune of his very own drummer and I LOVE that about him.  Just as Levi is a direct replica of Jason, Caleb is a mini-me.  He is introverted (yet talkative), pensive, incredibly creative, thoughtful, and loyal.  He loves what he loves and dislikes what he dislikes. I love the way at dinner he just gives me a thumbs-up when he likes something and how he asks me every day how my baby is doing.  He loves Tom and Jerry and he hates all things to do with losing teeth.  He adores math and hates all things related to reading and writing, though he does them with a great attitude. He spends most of his day with the baby kitties and I am pretty sure he will grow up, get married, and have a zillion kids. He is LOVING art class at school and he comes up with the most creative solutions to problems I have ever seen. I am so excited to see him grow up and be all the man God created him to be.

 

ALAINA: I am so, so blessed to have her.

 

We spent two weeks in the States together this month and it was so amazing to be with her...just her...for such a long time.  I love that homeschooling and having all the kids together every day keeps her young (I think kids grow up WAY to fast these days!) but I am also realizing that she IS getting older and more mature.  Being alone with her gave me the opportunity to see how she is growing and changing and to get a better idea of what she needs from us. I am thinking and praying about how to help her grow and mature well.  I believe that the next few years are incredibly important as we watch her change from a child into a young woman. She is an amazing girl with a tender heart and sweet spirit.

 

Alaina loves reading (I find her in all sorts of places), being crafty, and watching the Duggars.  She plans on marrying a Duggar boy when she gets older and she was SUPER excited that two of the oldest kids visited Indonesia!  Her favorite purchase in the States was an ankle length jean skirt, just like the Duggar girls wear.

 

 

ME: Well, like I said, I have been sick.  Sick as in "I puke four or five times a day and I hate ALL food" sick.  I have had more food problems with this pregnancy than with any other one, including a complete hatred for all meat and even peanut butter.  As an O blood type that typically CRAVES protein, I have really struggled.    I finally realized that I could buy some protein supplements and although it has only been a few days, I do feel a bit better. Hoping that as the pregnancy progressess (I am 15 weeks now), the sickness and the drop-dead tiredness will ease.  I HATE not being available to my family. Thankfully, they are all very understanding and I am blessed with a man who works all day and then takes over kid duty when he gets home so that I can lie in bed.

 

My other huge struggle with pregnancy is the emotional toll it takes on me. Now, I am not the typical pregnant woman with raging emotions.  In fact, I am quite the opposite. I just become kind of dead to the world.  As a typically passionate person with lots on her heart and mind, I find it very hard to feel nothing...about anything.  I become very apathetic, uncreative, and well, boring.  I'm not happy, not sad, just there.  It's really not a fun way to live.

 

However, I do feel the slightest bit of that fog lifting...so here's hoping!

 

JASON: Jason is good.  He is enjoying the start to a new school year.  He has handed over his athletic director duties this year so that he is able to concentrate more on building the PE program at the school.  I love seeing new visions come to life including and elementary swim program and an elementary sports/field day. He is also enjoying helping coach the girls soccer team.  It is hard to have him away those extra hours, but I know he loves it. 

 

HOMESCHOOLING: The pregnancy and my trip to the States have made for a rocky and inconsistent start to the school year, but things are still going pretty well.  The kids have been so good and understanding about my not feeling well and have been happy to change the schedule or even just do school on my bed.  We are using some new curriculum this year and I am LOVING it.  I feel like our choices this year have been a better fit for us all around and I LOVE knowing that my kids are getting a great education.

I also LOVE that homeschooling allows me to work with my kids at their own pace, whatever that might be.  For example, when we found out that we were expecting we briefly considered putting the kids in school.  I was struggling with what grade to put Caleb in. He is a May birthday and a boy and I really feel like he is straddling Kindergarten and first grade. By having him at home, I don't have to decide.  We can move right along in math and take our time in language arts. At some point, if he does go back in school, we can see where he fits best. But for now, I don't have to worry about him being bored in one subject while completely missing out on a subject that he is totally not ready for.

I don't know how long we will homeschool for...maybe another year or maybe forever.  We'll take it year by year and kid by kid.  While we are getting to enjoy this season of life, I will soak up the precious time I have with my kids and marvel at the ways their minds are growing.

 

LIFE: Life is good, busy, confusing, fun, hopeful, and blessed. Things change from day to day and I definitely never know what is around the corner, but I am happy and content and ready for whatever comes our way.