A Warm Bath

Recently I woke up early with hopes of a relaxing bath before the kids started bouncing around the house. As I slipped into my warm, bubbly bath I heard the pitter-patter of my youngest child heading for the bathroom. He burst in with a smile and said, "I want a baff wiff you!". I helped him get undressed and in the tub (what choice did I really have?). He slipped down into the deep, warm water and grinned. Then he quickly added, "I din't pee in da wader!!!!"

Life with children is always full of surprises, and sometimes so is your bathwater.

Kid-sized Compassion

Last night I was feeling very pleased about a conversation I was having with Brent (6) and Rachel (5). They were asking why I was preparing some food to take down to the elderly couple who lives in our basement; and why they lived there. I explained that we allow them to stay there because they have no money, no home and no job. I further took the opportunity to share with them the importance that Jesus placed on caring for people by meeting their real needs, like food and clothing. Brent kept firing away questions, while it seemed I could see the compasion and understanding growing in Rachel's eyes. Just when I thought I had conveyed the importance of these matters, Rachel nodded empathetically and said, "Yes, they are sooooo---poor they can't even afford teeth! They just chew with their lips!". I nearly burst out laugh. Compassion...kid-sized.

I Woke Up with the "Grumpies"...

Truth be known, I have a serious case of the "grumpies". I woke up this morning TOO early with Jake saying, "I haf-ta pee Mommie!" at which point I also realized that we STILL HAVE NO WATER. It has been two days already and will probably not come on for a while yet. Everything feels dirty....laundry and dishes piling up. And I really want to wash my hair! I usually wash it every other day....of course the water went off on the "really need to wash day". Since I'm already complaining, can I just say that I used my last bit of starbucks coffee this morning, our wood still hasn't come, it is raining AGAIN, and I'm really missing my family and friends who are far away! This level of grumpiness calls for serious counter-measures....blessing counting.

I'm blessed by....healthy children who constantly entertain and amuse me; a spouse who loves me; a fairly warm house and blankets; food on the shelf; electricity; people who love and pray for us; internet that is working; a great team; a blue passport that gifts me more freedom than most; laughter in our home; and one last cup of starbucks....

Phew!!! It worked; the "grumpies" are gone.

Jacob's 3rd Birthday

It was a "CARS" themed birthday complete with a game of "Change the tire on Lightning McQueen" and a muddy wheel for a cake. When Jacob tried to blow out the candles, he was more like a sprinkler than a stout breeze. It was a blessing to have a few friends over who haven't lost the kid in them. We missed the family and friends far away, but appreciated the calls, emails and gifts. We love you all!

Come for Coffee

• Starbucks Filter 6:30am ...while contemplating the depths and height of The Father's love for me, and how He longs to call each person on this earth "child...forgiven...accepted."



• Bosnian Coffee 10:00am...while joined with my husband, a Brazilian, and a Ukranian planning a camp to share truth and encourage the people here.



• Espresso with Cream 12:30pm...while comforting a Bosnian friend who confided that her husband recently hit her and doesn't know if she will stay in the marriage.



• Bosnian Coffee 9:20pm...while hosting a surprise group of 5 neighbors who stopped by, discussing the differences between Catholisism and Evangelical Christianity.

No matter where I am or what I am doing, how I long ...to be steeped in His Holiness...stirred by His Spirit...and to pour out His love to the thirsty.

8 Reminders That I Live in Bosnia

There are certain moments when it hits me all at once...."I'm raising a family in Bosnia!" Some recent moments are:

8) We had to wait for sheep to cross the road so we could keep driving.

7) I didn't have a kitchen window for 6 days this month...just open air!!! The man who is fixing it had to order a part from Slovenia.

6) The children were in awe when I brought home eggs from the local store...because they were WHITE!

5) I warned the babysitter not to let the kids touch the SYTHE hanging in the tree. (We use this to "mow" the yard).

4) Jason and my recent conversations have revolved around which cement wall to punch a hole through to vent the wood stove.

3) I have received mail exactly twice this month.

2) I showed the kids a map of the USA and Rachel said... "Where's Russia?"

1) I heard myself say, "Hey kids! Come watch daddy light the chimney on fire!"

A Few Days in Montenegro

Montenegro is known for is sunny weather and pebble beaches. After a hectic summer we thought we would spend a few nights there. As chance would have it we only had sun one day, followed by lots of rain and cold. The kids still managed to have fun though. Favorite things...BRENT: skipping rocks, searching for money on the beach,eating fish soup...RACHEL: finding "treasures" and special rocks, getting cozy under all the towels...JAKE: scooping rocks saying "look at dis one!" and going for icecream. Jason and I really enjoyed the beauty of the sea meeting the jagged mountains and the lush vegetation (pomegranet, fig , and olive trees). Hopefully next time will have a bit more warm sunshine.

Birthday Reflections

Even moms have birthdays! In fact, I had one today. In all it was a good day. I spent the morning with a special group of women with whom I can laugh, cry, and drink coffee! I had Birthday wishes through virtually every medium (sms, phone, email, card, letter, skype, and in person!) My husband bought me a "painting kit" so I can start being creative again...very sweet.

The best part of the day was seeing it through the eyes of my children. Jacob (almost 3) saw my present and said, "It our bir-day...where my hes-ent?" He proceeded to help me open mine. My almost 5 year old daughter informed me that I "should really wear a dress or something prettier" since it is my special day. Fashion tips from a 4 year old...who knew? And lastly Brent, my oldest, made me a special card. As I was congratulating myself that he spelled "Happy Birthday" correctly, he pointed my attention to the picture. He said, "This is you on a tree swing, mommy. I made the swing extra big for your big bottom!" I had to laugh at his thoughtfulness!

A Normal Day

People ask me all the time what a normal day is like for us here. I am not sure that I have had a normal day...week...or month since we arrived! No two days look the same. With that said, let's look at today.

Had a big plan that included grocery shopping and a fun outing in another town....shortly after flipping pancakes for breakfast my plan flew out the window (that IS a normal day). A team mates van broke down and Jason had to drive him to another city to have the repairs made. This only took 11 hours!

Suddenly I had some time (without a van) on my hands and no plan. So, the kids and I headed into the city on foot looking for adventure. The kids notice everything on the way...bottle caps, wild flowers, stray cats, a drunk man passed out, children begging for money, a women hearding goats on the sidewalk, and a watermelon stand. We indulged in an early scoop of icecream from a street vendor, followed by a short walk to the market. We were drowned in the sound and smell of the busy market, finally choosing some fresh carrots, ears of corn, and onions. I couldn't resist buying some fresh bread and couldn't believe that a 60 year old woman cut right in front of me in line! The kids and I were tired as we turned to go home. It is quite a hike and the final leg is more than 300 stairs straight up the mountain. Jake summed it up well at the top, "I HOT!"

During the afternoon, a neighbor and her children stopped by for coffee and stayed for a couple of hours. The kids helped me pick ripe plums from our tree....mmmm...so good. They insisted that I should make "plum pie"; I'm not quite sure how to do that! I visited with a couple of other neighbors over the fence, one of whom is a known witch. During the afternoon, Rachel let her imagination go wild and drew some really original pictures. One was of a kind horse named "skee-bo", another of a princess and her pink castle, and one of our family riding on a camel with 4 humps touring the great pyramids of Egypt.

After his nap, Jake asked me for some juice. I said, "Just a minute." He replied, "Don't 'Just-a-minute-me!'." Needless to say we had a "discussion" with the wooden spoon. Brent was busy spying out the sweet corn patch, pointing at each one that was ready. He is kind of like the "garden gaurdian", keeping unwanted chickens, birds, and brothers out of the patch. We ended the day with a sweet corn feast at 9:00pm. That is a good supper, right? Well, that is a glimpse of our normal day. The one thing I know about tomorrow...it won't look anything like today.

The Crush

It seems that Rachel has a crush on our teammate. Everyone can see it, and chuckles when she curiously asks, "Is Brugger going to be there?". Just when I thought this phenomenom was unique to 4 year old girls, it strikes an unlikely candidate...our six year old , rough-and-tough son. He seems to be taken with a new team mate who just arrived this week from Brazil. Penya doesn't speak much English, but she is an attentive audience while Brent shows off his dart shooting skills and how he can take out the trash by himself. Brent seemed really disappointed when he sat down to dinner tonight. I asked him if he disliked what I had prepared. He said, "No it is not that...I just wanted to sit next to 'Pen-YA-Ta'." Apparently he is not so good with names. He'll have to work on that before he hits the dating scene.

Bathroom Rights

One universal truth for moms of young children: you never get privacy in the bathroom. In light of this, it seemed a bit ironic and funny when I came into the bathroom to see Jake on his little potty. He quickly said, "Sut da door...I need sum hi-vacy!"

My Little Girl

Little Rachel... what can I say? princess, helper, little mother, painter, dreamer, and hostess... This afternoon i came into the living room to see her little "breakfast" all set up for her special bears. She was pretending with full imagination when I asked her, "How much do you love your bears, Rachel?" My mother's heart identified with her answer..."It's too much; i really couldn't say the number."

Finally!

The moment I have been waiting for has finally come....a milestone 6 1/2 years in the making! This ranks right up there with college graduation, getting married, and other significant life accomplishments. I have been changing diapers for the last 2,372 days....and I happily report that I have changed my last one!!!! My third child is officially potty trained. :)

I am trying to think of a special way to celebrate and what to do with the remaining few diapers. I have considered making some sort of diaper monument and charging admission to see it (this might offset the considerable expenses I have incurred during the last 6 1/2 years of buying diapers). And other idea was some sort of "Done with Diapers" party.... but, yikes, what to serve?! Well, for now I will just revel in the moment of my great accomplishment.

I Scream, You Scream...

Summer never tasted so good! We go to town often for 30 cent ice cream cones. Brent picks a new flavor every time. Rachel chooses chocolate and Jacob says, "I want ma-nilla!"

Say What?

After spending sometime outside with the ducks, Brent (6yrs) came inside to ask a very important question. "Mommy, when are you going to lay another baby?...and can you make it a boy?"