The Dawkins Narrative

Fit to Fly?

2012-01-27T06:13:00.002-05:00

There was a little airport drama this week. At check in, I was chasing Jude around with a juice box and banana. I think all the motion in my delicate state caused consternation among the airline attendants. They asked if I had a "Fit to Fly" certificate. We explained I'm only in my 7th month and there should be no cause for concern.

They were concerned.

I was ushered into a small "hospital" in the basement of the airport. Umm. Let's just say that it's a good thing David was with me. He was exceedingly nice to all the concerned officials. I vacillated between extreme annoyance and extreme laughter at the "seriousness" of the situation.

My blood pressure was taken. My due date inquired. And a doctor was summoned from a back room. He asked if I was feeling any pains, nausea, or having vomiting. I said "no, feeling very fit to fly." He signed a waiver.

They then explained that for the return trip, I would need another certificate, signed less than 24 hours before our flight. But we would be in small town Sri Lanka...on vacation. It didn't matter. They assured me I could not fly home without a doctor's note.

We were then escorted through several lines in the fast lane due to what a guard called my "extreme state."

So on Wednesday afternoon, we found a little clinic. A 90 year old doctor asked what I needed and I told him to please take my blood pressure and write a note that said I was "fit to fly." He asked about my husband, my son, my country of origin...but not much about my pregnancy. They he asked if the certificate needed his stamp on it. I said that would be helpful and he stamped it.

Honestly, by the time we finally made it through all the airport lines, medical forms, and customs officials yesterday I was wondering if I was "fit to fly."

Sunshine & Sand

2012-01-26T09:06:00.008-05:00

I'm happy to report that the trusty backpack held all that we could need for a few days at the beach. Our getaway couldn't have gone better. It was relaxing, restful, and full of fun. Not without a few hiccups, of course, but more on those later. Here are a few of our favorites...

Because we weren't up for traveling too much this time, due to my "extreme state," we stayed in Negombo. It's a small beach town not far from the capital city...and just a rickshaw ride away from the airport. A fishing village, we took an early morning trip to the wharf to check out the action. Be thankful you can't smell this picture:)

Thanks to a Lonely Planet recommendation, we stopped by the Swiss-run Ice Bear Lodge for breakfast one morning. Homemade muesli & a silver pot of tea, classical music, a breezy veranda overlooking the ocean, and a garden full of turtles and ducks for Jude to play in while we ate. It was so good, we went again the next morning.

Our favorite part? Most definitely the beach...with a one year old. Jude loved sand and splashing...mainly because David built castles for him to destroy and dipped him in the waves just enough for it to be fun.

Definitely a successful vacation in our book!

the backpackers

2012-01-24T04:27:00.001-05:00

We're off to Sri Lanka this week for a bit of sunshine and sand. The motivation is that our visa requires us to leave for renewal every 6 months or so...and since Silas will be here around month 6, we're going early. Just so happens there was a cheap ticket to an island paradise to meet the requirement. We'll take it.

We're staying at a backpacker lodge and relying on good ole Lonely Planet to guide us.

I'm not trying to brag...but I kind of am. Our entire family packed for the trip in the faithful old backpacker my mom bought me in college. We'll have another small backpack as a carry on. I consider this no small feat. Of course, with a 1 year old, stroller, and pregnant belly in tow...we won't exactly look like the backpackers of old. But it just shows, at 31 and counting, we've still got it in us:)

Stay tuned for pics from the beach later this week!

generosity

2012-01-23T04:36:00.000-05:00

A friend moved back to the states this weekend. Really, she was more of an acquaintance since we'd only hung out a time or two...making her generosity all the kinder.

She said she had some maternity clothes for me.

What was waiting? Bags of maternity clothes, baby supplies, a play mat, jumperoo, and more toys than we currently own. Not to mention the cutest little wood bike.

I'm getting very excited about little bit and all that he will add to our household!

snapshots of semi-reality

2012-01-20T09:59:00.002-05:00

There have been a few posts in my little blog world lately that have helped me think more about that site I'm occasionally referencing: Pinterest. I confess that it's among the first places I look these days when I'm searching for a new idea or two. I'm not even a member. I'm a Facebook drop-out so the truth is, I can't join. There have been some pretty fair and timely warnings for me...not to want life to look like as clean cut as a pinterest pic, not to busy my mind with things my hands don't have time to do in this season, etc. I was helped by all these thoughts.

But amid all that, there is something that I really love about sites like Pinterest.

The photos posted aren't entirely real life. I've no doubt some furniture was moved out, a counter was cleared or a board washed.... but they are snippets of real life. One of the things I appreciate most about photography is that it enables us to focus in on beauty in what might have otherwise been a crowded space. Take a room full of objects, in my case, a floor crowded with toys, water stains on the mirror, milk dripped on the floor, a few dust bunnies behind the curtains and grubby hands on my sofa. When I take a photo of Jude's face, what I capture of that moment is the unobstructed by all the other distractions. I see him. He was there in the midst of all the cookie crumbs and misplaced papers, but I didn't see him...at least not in the same way. It helps me to remember the stunning simplicity of beauty in the midst of the daily.

I live in a country where most roads are littered with trash, dirty water is running through the streets, cows and all that they bring with them meander down the lane and rickshaws drive wildly through almost every corner. Sometimes when I look at the whole picture, I feel overwhelmed. And the feeling is not stemming from an abundance of beauty. But, if I look more closely at that same lane, I will find some of the most beautiful faces I've ever beheld, handcrafted iron work and timelessly carved teak, tiny bells on the ankles of little girls that jingle through the muddy water as they make their way home and intricately woven sarees with beads and sequins adorning every edge, draped over graceful women...who just might be dodging rickshaws.

I want to learn to draw out the beauty in every scene I encounter.

This is not so I am oblivious to real life. Real life is blazing before us at every turn. It is shouting to me from every street corner with a beggars hand or shanty house. I want to learn to see beyond what my eyes perceive at first, to look more closely at all that is before me. I think it is possible to train our eyes to see in such a way. Maybe, just maybe, a pretty little picture on pinterest will remind you today to look for the beauty in your own world.

on the mend

2012-01-19T09:27:00.002-05:00

Jude seems to be on the mend. He's had a fever for most of the day, but it appears to be subsiding a bit tonight. Hopefully, after a good night's sleep, he'll wake up fully recovered:) Thankfully, no rash, a little cough and a not-so-alarming daytime temp make it appear to be nothing more than a little cold. Much better than I thought at 2am.

I guess, after all, it is winter here. (It was 90 this afternoon.) It's cold season.

We spent the day watching Annie, reading books, and playing in the pillows on the bed. His favorite toy was the thermometer....

Thanks for the prayers and emails!

a little fever

2012-01-18T15:55:00.002-05:00

Jude-bug woke up feeling quite feverish. He's tucked back into bed and sound asleep. But here I am...googling Dengue Fever and Typhoid symptoms and treatments at 2am.

i like living in South Asia. I like being a mom. Sometimes the two are a hard combo though:)

Praying that little man wakes up fever-free...

wedding duds

2012-01-18T05:22:00.000-05:00

We've been invited to a wedding in a few weeks. A fancy-smancy wedding from what we hear. We've been asking all sorts of questions of friends and teachers to make sure we know what to do, what to bring, what to wear. In the city, it's not really protocol for me to wear a sari anywhere. I'm white and everyone knows it. But....a wedding is a different story.

Today my language teacher brought me a wedding-appropriate, all silk, fancy-smancy sari. David measured it. Around 24 feet long. I'll have to call in all my neighbor-ladies to wrap me up in it before the wedding. And a tailor will cut 2 feet or so off the end to make me a belly-showing shirt. Don't worry, I'll have them wrap me nice and modest so Silas doesn't feel exposed:)

Everyone in our little household is quite excited about my new duds:)

the tables have turned

2012-01-17T03:27:00.003-05:00

Remember that daddy-phase Jude went through? My name was daddy. David's name was daddy.

The tables have turned.

David is now oft referred to as "momma." Video proof below and a grateful acknowledgement that hubs is a dish washing machine! Alongside all this is a wonderful little shout-out to Cousin Josie Jane and Aunt Lindsey. Skype calls prompt a lot of love in little man's heart:)

Festival of Color

2012-01-16T07:09:00.003-05:00

Sankranti is one of the hindu festivals celebrated with a lot of gusto here. Painted doorsteps, kite flying, cow decorating, and a lot of spicy cooking. We were out and about this weekend taking in a few of the sights. It was very interesting to watch. From what we understand, most of the activities don't have a lot to do with worship...but there will be a lot of extra pujas to the sun god, to which the festival is dedicated. Here are a few pics:

Our apartment held a contest for the best ground painting. There were some intricate designs, all full of color. In the villages, every hindu house would have one of these paintings outside the doorstep to celebrate Sankranti.

One of Jude's friends brought him a kite to fly. It never really left the ground, but it was a kind sentiment.

Since Sunday was a pretty windless day, the guys who actually got their kites in the air were basically pros. There were apparently plenty of pros, because the sky was filled in late afternoon with little dots of color.

It really was a beautiful festival....and provoked a lot of though in my heart about the Creator of all things...sun, moon, and stars.

around the house

2012-01-14T11:39:00.006-05:00

I've been working on a few projects today around the house, catching up on laundry and cleaning, and checking some to-dos off the list. I've been intending to enlarge a few photos to add here and there. So this morning I pulled out a cd of photos that dear Robby Followell took last spring. In the shuffle of moving, shockingly I never really did much with them:) Here are a few of my favorites that will make their way to our walls soon!

In Pictures

2012-01-13T07:46:00.006-05:00

We had a great time in the village. We're glad to be home:) A few tid-bits from our trip:

We stayed on the campus of an orphanage and school in a smallish town about two hours from where we live. There were plenty of language helpers:

We slept under a beautiful purple mosquito net, and I got plenty of wear out of my moo-moo.

Jude gathered a crowd everywhere we went. Sometimes he loved it. Sometimes...not so much.

I wore toe rings, just in case any of the villagers should wonder if I'm married. And some very large and in charge asian maternity clothes. No skinny jeans and tunics in the village:)

There were plenty of opportunities to sit and chat. It was just what we were hoping for in that regard!

Jude's a little train-obsessed these days so his favorite part may very well have been the train ride home.

Overall, it couldn't have been a better trip!

village life

2012-01-10T05:17:00.000-05:00

We're heading to a village a few hours away for the remainder of the week. Spicy food. Open spaces. Dirt fields to play cricket in. And no doubt a lot of adventure. Language by immersion is the goal. We'll take prayers.

See you on Friday!

nearing confinement

2012-01-09T02:51:00.002-05:00

I went to the doctor this weekend. Apparently, Saturday is a routine day to schedule a baby check up:) Did I tell you that I changed doctors? I did. I changed to a hospital that has an "executive" wing. And even though we'll have to pay a little more out of pocket for a private room and nicer delivery area, I'm feeling much better about the decision.

Here are a few interesting observations I made in the waiting room.

1. I walked into the waiting area to find every seat taken. Someone brought in an extra chair for me. I thought I would be there for hours. I was out within 45 minutes. Why? Because only about 10% of the people in that waiting area were actually pregnant moms. I'm pretty sure one lady was there with her husband, dad, and 2 sisters. I was asked by 3 different nurses if I was there by myself. I think you're supposed to bring the family with you to the doctor here.

2. I was recently informed that after childbirth, women are especially fragile. In order to prevent a cold, I should wear a knitted ear warmer like piece around my ears and head. It will be 110 degrees here after I deliver.

In walked a new momma. It was around 90 outside. She had a head warmer tied tightly in place. Her mother followed closely behind with a very swaddled new born. The a/c was going in the waiting room. (For which I was profoundly grateful.) So as soon as her mother sat down, she draped a shawl over the new mother and tucked it 'round her. Apparently to prevent a chill.

In other recent preggo news:

a. I was stopped on the stairs the other day by a neighbor who asked me "if I should be doing that." She was referring to my climbing the stairs. I live on the 2nd floor.

b. My other neighbor asked me when my mother was coming. I told her March and knowing that they are all quite worried over my lack of live-in help said "She's staying for a whole month!" Which, to me, seems like an amazing sacrifice of time. My neighbor frowned and said "so short?!?" I tried to explain that my mom has a job, etc and a month is all that could be spared. It didn't really compute. She still looked concerned.

....and since I didn't take any great photos this weekend, here's one post-New Year's parade before we returned Jude's costume. We rented a banana suit. The asians all informed us he was actually a mango. Anyways, he was a cute piece of fruit.

water world

2012-01-06T11:15:00.002-05:00

Apparently, most Asians eat in front of the television. Our dining room has a built in stand for a big screen tv. I opted to use the room as a living room instead. Primarily because the a/c blows right on me when I sit on the couch. Never mind that it's a bit weird to our neighbors. Survival of the summer at 8-9 months pregnant is more essential.

Consequently, we have a sink in our living room.

For the past month, it's held the nativity. But now that the decorations are packed away, Jude's discovered a new favorite spot. Little does he know, David talked to the man in the flower stall this afternoon. Ferns are on their way to camoflauge the sink.

And in case you're wondering where Jude really bathes in our shower-only home:

Even in a little smaller tub, bath time's still his favorite part of the day.

ball of fun?

2012-01-05T02:26:00.003-05:00

I'm looking for a fresh look on my dining room table after the holidays. Last night, I attempted to make some old school thread balls dipped in colored glue and wrapped around a balloon.

It was pretty messy. And I didn't use quite enough glue to make them fully stiff after the balloons were removed. They turned out ok...but I think I'm going to give it another try.

It wasn't quite as simple as I remember it being in 6th grade.

Maybe my standards have changed:)

tricks

2012-01-04T04:21:00.003-05:00

Jude does a few tricks these days, mostly learned under the tutelage of his dad. He rarely lets me catch them on camera though. But today, in a rare act of benevolence toward blog readers, he performed one of his trickiest tricks. Generally speaking, regardless of what is in his mouth, if you pull his ear, his tongue pops out. This is thanks to David's careful training. Here's a peek. Pardon my cheers in the background, I was hoping to encourage greater future participation:

And just in case you're wondering...when guests are sitting on our couch, he does occasionally tug their ears until he gets the desired result:)

feeling my failures

2012-01-03T02:29:00.000-05:00

If there's one area that I've consistently battled in the past few years, it's a sweeping feeling of failure. Sometimes it arises from a specific situation, but more often it creeps upon me in the daily matters of my life at home. Let me be very clear in saying that no one is reproaching me with a word of correction, my dear husband is not sighing when I walk into a room, my son is not neglected or out of control(ok, sometimes he's kind of out of control), and generally speaking, our little home is not falling apart around me. The laundry is, for the most part, managed, food makes its way to the table, and we don't crunch on the carpet too much. It is a whisper that follows me though. And I find it particularly cunning in this sweet and tiring season of motherhood. I have become more profoundly aware of it since our move to a far off land.

As we enter the new year, a time when I do like to reflect on changes that I would like to make and goals I would like to work toward, I find the whisper loudening. Part of this is, of course, related to the growing responsibilities on my plate, the growing stomach that seems to forbid progress on some days, and a language that is harder for me to conquer than infamous greek.

Failure is the opposite of success. This is a helpful recognition for me because a true failure would mean that I did not succeed in what I set out to do. I need definitive examples for this general feeling. Usually for me, it's the whole gamut of life, rather than one specific area that is generally the pressure point. That vagueness can be difficult to overcome. Most often I would like to define success as a finished check list at the end of the day. When we were in Louisville, a very wise teacher pointed me to the biblical concept of faithfulness. I am task oriented in many respects. Faithfulness defines success differently. When I am faithful in a day, I may or may not accomplish everything I set out to do. The list might be incomplete for any number of reasons: a cranky toddler who needed more attention, an unexpected guest who required hospitality, a pregnancy that suggested sitting for an hour would be wiser than standing, etc. If I am not being slothful with my time, if I am walking in the good works God prepared for me...many of which I am not aware of until I enter into the day...I should be able to lay my head on my pillow at night and rest well. I've walked faithfully. The list does not define my failure or success.

I wish that simple understanding had deeper root in my heart.

As it is, I have near weekly discussions with my husband about feeling like I am a failure. You can ask him. It's true. I thought I would tell you that because you might not know it from reading my thoughts on painted snails and eggplant recipes. And what often encourages me in moments when I wonder if I will ever really get it together is to look into the lives of women I know....women who might seem to have it all together, but they really don't. They're plodding along faithfully but not perfectly. They are repentant when they are unfaithful. They greet the days giving thanks for God's mercies. Peering into their lives, I see the marks of faithfulness and the seeds that they are unconsciously sowing that will one day be a beautiful harvest. It spurs me on.

Don't grow weary in doing good. Press on. Keep going. At the proper time, (which does not likely seem to be in the midst of young motherhood:) you will reap a harvest.

Asking for faithfulness in our lives this year.

A Hoppin' New Year

2012-01-02T04:17:00.002-05:00

Our apartment complex was a happenin' place on New Year's Eve. It was a party like we've never seen before in our neck of the woods.

There was plenty of dancing...

An old fashioned costume parade...

Two men on stilts who partied in the middle of the dance floor all the way til midnight...

And crowds of people like only asia could produce...

The grand finale was a fireworks show from the roof of our building that left our ears ringing...and little Jude sleeping soundly in his bed. It was fun to watch...and we're glad it's over. Last night we were tucked in bed by 9pm to recover:)

the snail's pace

2011-12-30T05:26:00.002-05:00

With so much going on, putting the finishing touches on our little house has taken the back burner. However, call it what you will, third trimester nesting is going into full gear in the boys' room. Last night I painted this little snail to hang over Jude's bed. He loves it:)

I'm embarrassed to write that I got the idea while looking at pictures of Princess Kate online. Yeah. I waste my time doing that sometimes. She painted something similar at an inner city art project. I added a few lines of a good old hymn to mine:)

Next on my list? A large alligator wall hanging to go over the crib:)

wankaya

2011-12-29T02:11:00.004-05:00

The color purple here is the same word for eggplant. It sounds like wankaya. We've been eating a bit of wankaya lately, so I thought I'd share my love for it with you. I first braved cooking eggplant when I lived in Africa. It was cheap and accessible. To my delight, it is here as well.

Our favorite way so far is a shortened version of eggplant marinara. Crushed cracker crumbs mixed with basil and oregano, eggplant dipped in a little egg, fried in a tablespoon or so of light olive oil. Serve with marinara and noodles...and even hubs admits to preferring this dish to meaty spaghetti.

Try it. You won't be disappointed.

tension

2011-12-28T04:53:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking this week about an aspect of life here that I find immensely uncomfortable.

Beggars.

Children stand in the middle of insane traffic jams and reach into the rickshaw to touch my arm and put their hand to their mouth. But they don't want the food I offer, they want money. A few weeks ago, a 5 year old came holding a baby of 8 or 9 months. The baby had already learned to stretch out his hand. Old women with deformed legs sit outside the supermarket and reach up at me when I walk out with bags of groceries. Women my age push their little ones in front of me and sing loudly to draw attention until I reach into my pocket and pull out coins.

Earlier this week, a child of around three stood in front of me for an extended period of time while I tried to explain that I'd already given all my coins away to another girl. All the while, I was feeding Jude pricey goldfish crackers from the import store. When it finally occurred to me to give her some crackers, her mother came back to ask for more "chocolates."

I would love to portray a really godly picture of myself in the midst of all of this. But that wouldn't be true. It is a struggle for me. Sometimes beggars make me sad. Sometimes they do evoke compassion from me. But very often, they make me angry.

I want to tell that 5 year old to return to her mother or whoever sent her into the middle of a dangerous intersection with a baby on her hip and report that I will not reward such foolish manipulation. Her life is at risk because someone else wants money. I won't support it.

I want to tell that woman at the train station that loud music to embarrass me will not force me into giving to an able bodied woman who is using her children as a pawn for gain.

And I want to bend down to that elderly woman begging outside the super market and tell her that she is worth so much more than a few coins and diverted eyes. She shouldn't have to be there at that stage of life.

Let's be realistic, though. These are complicated situations in a society with complex poverty problems. I don't speak the language yet. I don't understand the in workings of the culture. But day after day I am forced to deal with the individual situations. It presses me. It builds a tension within me. It provokes a lot of thought on issues that I should be thinking about but would rather not. The situations themselves require a response...whether or not I feel prepared at that moment to give one.

I had a conversation several years ago with a very wise man who had spent a number of years living in a third world country. His words were less clear cut than what I was hoping for. But when is it ever clear cut when a hungry child is begging in the middle of the street?

He told me that for him feeling tension in the midst of the situations was a sign that he was not calloused to the suffering. I should feel the pull of...this should not be/but it is, so what does a Christ-like response look like? The tension is good and right. I am feeling the tension these days, and am learning to give thanks for it.

pharmaceutical sweets

2011-12-27T02:13:00.002-05:00

People are always feeding Jude in public places. If I turn my back in the hallway, the guards put a cookie in his hand. Our landlord stuffs chocolates in his pockets every time he goes into her apartment. And our language teacher brings him traditional sweet rice and dosas all the time. It's a good thing the kid doesn't have any food allergies.

Today we stopped by the pharmacy for a minute. On the way out, unable to resist an opportunity to bestow something on the little man, the pharmacist gave him a Halls cough drop. We just smiled and said thank you....what on earth?

skinny version

2011-12-26T04:35:00.002-05:00

Our courtyard held a little fun for Jude last night.

But you don't sit on his knee here...just the standard handshake for kids.

It was the first suit I've ever seen where boots were substituted with sandals:)

for the grandparents

2011-12-25T04:39:00.002-05:00

a merry package

2011-12-24T03:45:00.003-05:00

Thursday night we received a package from our SS class that weighed about as much as Jude...it was full of the most amazing American foods. I don't know how they knew what to send...but it was cram-packed with comfort foods that we'll be enjoying this Christmas Eve. David unwrapped, Jude started eating before it was even unpacked, and I sat on the couch crying because it was really that sweet.

Jude's favorite part? Candy canes. We haven't seen them at all this year...not even at the import stores! My favorite part? All the handwritten Christmas cards they tucked inside. What a gift!

Christmas Safari

2011-12-23T04:26:00.002-05:00

We took Jude to the zoo yesterday to enjoy the perfect 75ish weather we've been having this week. It was quite a bit wilder than the good ole Memphis zoo. More open spaces, less cage between us and the animals, and a lot fewer rules about feeding those animals, etc.

He loved every minute!

No wonder, right? It was pretty up close and personal. Please note...this guy is pacing about 2 feet from where we're standing, separated from us only by a chain link fence and bit of over fencing for good measure. Here's a group of school kids peeking in his cage:

Ok. So it might not have been those most wintery activity we could think of...but it was definitely a hit with little man!

3am

2011-12-21T16:52:00.002-05:00

It's 3am and I'm sitting in my moo-moo on the couch looking with love at my flashing Christmas lights. I've been eating some delicious berry Tums...because I'm 6 months pregnant and probably shouldn't eat pizza for dinner any more. But I forgot that in the moment of deep enjoyment at Pizza Hut around 6pm.

I've been reading blogs (yes, I really do read...I just don't comment:) when I had every intention of doing something more productive...or at least picking up A Christmas Carol because somehow it seems better to read Dickens than cooking tips and household details. I decided last year to read dickens every Christmas. I think it's going to be worth it.

This is Christmas break. And I love it!

Christmas Break

2011-12-21T04:40:00.002-05:00

Today we had our last language lesson with our tutor until after Christmas. By the end of class, we felt like 5th graders the day before school gets out. Jude's excited about it too.

gift giving

2011-12-20T02:53:00.004-05:00

I read a fantastic article the afternoon on Nancy Wilson's blog on gift giving. In case that frustration that always pops up when you're pressing through crowds and fighting traffic about this time in December is making you ask the question "why am I doing this?" Here's an excerpt:

Here’s why we Christians can celebrate Christmas like no one else on the planet. We really do have a reason for all this.

First, the Magi brought Jesus gifts. And they brought Him expensive gifts. Matthew calls their gifts treasures. So gift-giving has always been associated with the story of the Incarnation.

Second, the overwhelming message of the New Testament is that God gives to us so that we can give to one another. The two commandments to love the Lord our God and love our neighbor are like two parts of a whole, like a violin and a bow or a lock and a key. We don’t just love God in our hearts; we love Him by loving our neighbor. These two things are connected. These two commands are a unit. Freely we have received; freely give!

Of course there are ways we can sin in the gift-giving. One way is by being grumpy about it. Or we can sin by giving to our neighbor instead of giving to God, and we can sin by giving to God instead of giving to our neighbor. The Pharisees did this when they didn’t give to their needy parents because they had given the money to God (Mark 7:11).

Christians can buy into the heresy that material things are bad in themselves. This can be a trap for many Christians, because it can sound “spiritual” to say that you are not going to participate in the crowds and the materialism and the crazy gift-giving of Christmas. Some say it isn’t about Jesus at all, but simply about commercialism. So they don’t celebrate Christmas at all. Their kids get no gifts. Instead they say they will give a gift to the poor in lieu of gifts for the kids. This sounds super-spiritual, but it can be just like the Pharisees who called the gift “corban.” Remember the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? When she interrupted the animals having a little Christmas celebration, she called it gluttony and extravagance.

Our relationship to God is mirrored in our relationship with our neighbor, and our family is made up of our closest neighbors. The state of our marriage, our relationship to our kids, and our relationship to our friends and coworkers all reveal the condition of our relationship to God. If we are serious about loving God, we must be serious about loving our neighbors.

Click here for full article. So thankful for her thoughtful article on this topic that is helping me center my heart more on Jesus this Christmas.

Explanatory note: Just in case you're wondering...the elf picture was primarily for grandma-enjoyment. I don't advocate elf-wear or Santa hats as Christ centering paraphernalia, generally speaking:)

my moo-moo & me

2011-12-19T04:29:00.000-05:00

I can already tell that our second born will have a lot fewer milestones marked off than his big brother. I 'documented' that first pregnancy a little bit closer...so in an attempt to catch up, here are a few tidbits as I enter the 3rd trimester. (I can hardly believe I've reached the 6 month mark!!!)

1. Marble is very cheap here compared to the states. Thus, it's not uncommon for a building to have all marble floors. Our apartment is no exception. And they are beautiful....but hard. Asians always remove their shoes when indoors and I've been following the practice. Recently though, I decided that my crocs have to be my indoor shoes...to be worn at all times. The marble is killing my preggo feet!

2. My sleeping habits are beginning to reflect 3rd trimester. No more sleeping through the night....for the next year? :)

3. I miss good cheddar cheese so much. It was 50% of my diet with Jude. It's available here...but about 4x as expensive:( The unfortunate substitute for my craving has become lays potato chips. This little guy will be very health conscious, right?

4. After visiting the hospital, I decided to change doctors. I'm now scheduled to deliver at a hospital that has an "executive" floor with a few more western options and amenities. I'm feeling better about the decision.

5. Regardless of the choice, I'm feeling more and more nervous about the possibility of having a C-section with this little guy. Somehow when I tell people Jude's birth weight and that fractured clavicle detail...they don't seem too hopeful about a normal delivery. I'm going to have my old roommate and now-doctor, Tamara on speed dial to plead my case:) Ok, Tamara?

6. My language teacher told me last week that it is perfectly acceptable for me to wear the SA equivalent to a moo-moo all day in my house. She said I can answer the door, receive unexpected guests, etc...all while wearing my cozy moo-moo. I promptly went out and purchased one...somehow I feel doubtful that I'll be wearing it every day though. I wouldn't exactly call it flattering.

7. A neighbor informed me that at this stage of the pregnancy, it is customary for women to go home to their mother, sit on the couch all day, rest and eat while their momma takes care of things. I'm thinking about it:)

Man Gift

2011-12-16T10:41:00.005-05:00

I made a quick and easy man gift this afternoon. Thought I would share in case any of you are starting to feel desperate in your shopping endeavors! Inspired once more by pinterest, I found a recipe for a brown sugar meat rub here. What man doesn't like to put something on the grill occasionally, right?

As for Jude...he made a few gifts himself. It wasn't quite quick and easy though:)

m-o-u-s-e

2011-12-16T05:15:00.001-05:00

Random things happen here a lot. Last night our neighbor called to tell us Mickey Mouse was in the park outside our apartment. Maybe he didn't look exactly like Mickey....but it is South Asia after all.

For the most part, Jude was scared. I guess he wasn't particularly interested in any cheek pinching from a large furry mouse. But when we came back upstairs, he repeatedly pointed to the balcony and cried "mouse." Love from afar?

We learned two things about our complex recently that makes all our wonder at the unexpectedly well run, clean, timely facility make sense.

1. Our landlord's wife is apparently an interior decorator. Hence the absence of usual tackiness in lieu of muted colors.

2. The developer of the facility is a German. Enough said, right? What could be expected from a German but a well-run machine....even in SA.

Baking Bliss

2011-12-15T06:30:00.002-05:00

Today is our day off from language study. We try not to make any plans on Thursday besides family fun. Today our activity of choice? Peanut butter balls! (It was actually decided before the homesick post from yesterday.) David's mom makes them every year, and for David...they are integral part of the holiday season.

Jude sat on the counter watching the progress and tuning in to the claymation version of Rudolph...which we actually own:) David initiated him on beater-licking and other essential baking fun.

I wore my cute new Christmas apron that Grammar and Pop sent Fed-Ex for our baking endeavors! A little time consuming...but every bit worth it!

Aunt Pam’s Peanut Butter Balls

18 oz. creamy peanut butter (462g jar = 16.3oz)
2 sticks oleo or butter (113g = 1 stick)
1 ½ boxes powdered sugar (3 3/4 c per 1 box)
Mix well with electric mixer; roll into balls.
Melt 1 lb. (453 g) of Hershey’s candy bars in double boiler. (Can use chocolate chips instead).

Add 1/3 stick paraffin (optional). Stir well.

With toothpick in a ball, dip balls into chocolate…..keep chocolate over boiling water so that chocolate stays good for dipping. Makes many!

homesick

2011-12-14T04:48:00.000-05:00

December is a hard time to be away from home. I admit to a little homesickness this week. I miss eating Peanut Butter balls at David's parents house. I miss that spectacular tree my mom puts up in her den...that's so tall it almost pushes through the ceiling. I miss hearing Christmas music in the stores. I miss cold weather. I miss Jude in fleece pajamas.

And most of all, I just miss our family.

I've been thinking about contentment this week. For me, there is a direct connection between contentment and gratitude. When I give thanks for what has been given, it's hard to wallow in discontent. It makes the discontent seem ridiculous.

So, here I am in 85 degree South Asia, giving thanks for the birth of a baby who gave up much more than peanut butter balls and the familiarity of home. He reminds me of a true home, the one from which all my longings really stem. He is the deeper source in every season...at home or away.

messy is more fun

2011-12-13T05:00:00.002-05:00

Last time I tried to finger paint with Jude, it was disastrous. Green paint in mouth. I had to call for reinforcements in the end. (i.e. hubs to the rescue.) So, when I saw a cute picture on pinterest for finger painting in a plastic bag....I thought it was the perfect solution.

The only problem?

It lasted about .5 minutes. Apparently, Jude knows when I'm taking the easy way out. Oh well.

In other news...we found a delightful tree at the local mall and even a few decorations:) It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...at least in our little house!

learning what is good

2011-12-12T04:26:00.002-05:00

Lately, I've been feeling pressed and prodded a bit more by life here. That sweet little toddler of mine doesn't have much sense of personal space. He climbs on my stomach, tugs at my hair, and just generally invades any boundaries I might have...all day long. Add to that a few bumpy rickshaw rides a day, and the general bustle of life in a foreign country and by the end of the day, I'm spent. This morning I felt certain I was going to go into early labor on the road outside our apartment...just from hitting too many potholes.

Cultivating gentleness is hardly what's going through my mind in the midst of most of these days.

For the past few weeks I've had this on my iPod to listen to in my spare time (aka when I chase Jude around the playground). A free 8 part download by Carolyn Mahaney on the Titus 2 mandate to "teach what is good" to younger women, I am finding the simple reminders of truth to be very helpful.

Just in case you're looking for something to plug in on a car ride across town or as you do a few loads of laundry:)

Click here.

spa date

2011-12-09T05:56:00.000-05:00

A sweet American couple lives in our apartment complex. They've mentioned a few times that they miss their grandkids and would be happy to watch Jude so David and I could go out on a date. It just so happens that we're missing those very willing grandmas in Memphis who gave us regular date nights. After the third offer, we said "Well, if you insist" and headed out on the town.

David gets an A+ for creativity on this date. There's a spa in the mall that has a fish pedicure...yeah, the kind where fish eat the dead skin off your feet. Apparently, it's a great foot softener. I can't say it was the most relaxing experience..but it was fun. In a weird sort of way. For a mere $6, those fish ate and ate. And I have to admit, my feet feel pretty great today.

So for all those visitors who are coming to visit Silas...I can go ahead and set up an appointment now if you're interested.

a small tragedy

2011-12-08T11:15:00.002-05:00

The smallest of our fish died. One minute we were showing him to the little boeving girls on Skype, the next time we walked into the kitchen, he was floating.

David felt the tragedy keenly. He's been googling fish care since we brought the little guys home, worrying about whether there was enough oxygen in the water, and reminding Jude and I not to over feed them in our excitement. It was our first family pet.

Didn't even make it a week. Not even my pessimistic predictions were that bad.

We were starting to think them pretty hearty...after surviving the ride home and a small mishap the other night during water change in which they took a fall off the counter.

I guess they weren't as hearty as we thought. One remains though. And thankfully, Jude's not quite old enough to mourn the loss.

salesmanship

2011-12-07T10:18:00.002-05:00

South Asian salesmanship is hardly the same as what I'm used to in the States. In stores, employees walk closely behind me. They display items to me and help me select just the right purchase. The other day, I told a man I needed to think about which blender to purchase. He said ok. Then he stood beside me for a few minutes while I thought about it.

In the market, the best word I can think of is heckling. At some markets, it's almost constant. Sometimes they run after you shouting, "Madam, please. Just come and take a look. No pressure. Madam. Please. I want to talk about your family. I want to talk about your homeland. Come, madam. You don't have to buy. Please, come look."

Somehow, it doesn't usually make me want to stop in for a peek at their scarves.

This week at a market, I had a new tactic tested on me. At six months along, people are finally figuring out that I'm pregnant...not just a little heavy in the middle. A lady vendor noticed my state and shouted loudly across the market something like this, "Madam. I have clothes for baby. And very large sizes. I have shirts in very large. Nice for you."

I guess I wear very large clothes now.

i wonder...

2011-12-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

...where he learned to do that?

Advent Calendar

2011-12-05T04:04:00.000-05:00

I spotted a very chic tree advent calendar on pinterest a week or so ago that inspired our very family oriented little advent calendar this year. Mine didn't turn out quite as chic, but I love it! Since we're so far from home, one of the things I wanted to incorporate into our nightly routine this Christmas season was a time of thanksgiving for all the family and friends God has given us to remind us of his Son, Jesus. Roughly rolled pictures, turned into trees now adorn our dining room table. We unroll the picture and give thanks for the precious people He's given us.

Each night we read a prophecy from the Old Testament, followed by the fulfillment in the New Testament. We are waiting with expectant hope for the celebration of Christmas. In a very small way, reminding us of the way that God's people waited for generations and generations for the Saviour to come.

New Additions

2011-12-03T02:13:00.002-05:00

Jude got his first pet this week. He's enamored.

We're making longevity predictions. David, ever the optimist, thinks they'll last until Silas arrives. I, on the other hand, have given them until January 4.

Making a Merry Card

2011-12-02T04:43:00.001-05:00

Last week, I made a little family Christmas card on picnik.com. I've used their free photo editing system for a number of projects in years past, and continue to find fun new ways to manipulate pictures. I know a few of you are probably wondering what you'll do for a Christmas card this year so I wanted to pass along a few things I learned this time.

Because there were so many sights I wanted to include (and bc I couldn't get a family pic with Jude smiling), I decided to try a collage on the site. Walgreens allows you to make great collages as well, but they are more expensive. Picnik saves your photo to a jpg file, allowing you to print as a regular pic at one of the great sale rates. (10c right now at Walgreens w/ web coupon)

To give you an example, without spoiling the surprise of our card, I made a quick collage using some pics from our visit to the Botanic Gardens yesterday! For an Asian alternative to the Memphis gardens, it was definitely worth the visit!

Tips:

A lot of printing shops (walgreens) clip the edge of pics just a bit. No way to avoid this unless you do the border on their site, so just do a trial print to check first. If they clip it too much, widen your border a little.

I found that it worked best for me to have one pic with some white space at the top for me to include a message. Look for simple photos to combine with busy photos for best results. (Not like the example I gave here from the gardens:)

How - To

1. Head to picnik.com
2. Select Collage Photo on the menu.
3. For a photo that will print well at 4x6, select the free (not premium) 4 square shape under basic options.
4. Change the proportions to 60:40. ( I think if you also widen the border slightly you won't have the edge cut quite as much as I did)
5. Insert photos one at a time by uploading from your computer. (If you register you can upload 5 at a time)
6. Hit done and then go to the various editing options.
7. Use "text" to add Merry Christmas. They have great font options.
8. Use multiple text boxes to add your name, and any other messages you want!
9. Save to your computer and print as you would any jpg file.
10. Mail or email one of those sweet cards to South Asia!!!! (umm, i'm serious.)

Naming Silas

2011-12-01T04:57:00.001-05:00

About a month before I found out I was pregnant with another wee blessing, I had a dream.

Sometimes I have dreams and I laugh about them, sometimes I have dreams and I wonder about them, other times I have dreams and I feel certain that it meant something specific for my life. It's happened on rare occasion before, and I am learning to pay attention.

I woke from the dream and remembered very vividly that I had a son, and his name was Silas.

A month or two later, I found out I was pregnant. I called him Silas from the very first day. And when the ultrasound confirmed he was indeed a little man, I couldn't think of any other name to give to him. Despite our lengthy discussions over the name of our firstborn, there was hardly a mention of another name for this little one. David agreed, he just is Silas.

In the days that followed, we happened to be reading through Acts. There we found that Paul's journeying companion as he went to foreign lands was very often Silas. Seem ironic? Maybe just providential.

We were beginning to dwindle our options for middle names when we came across the meaning of Christopher. It means "bearer of Christ." We could have no deeper hope for him.

And so, with joy, we announce the name of our second born son, scheduled to arrive this March:

Silas Christopher Dawkins

We can hardly wait to meet him.

Weird Wednesday

2011-11-30T02:40:00.003-05:00

1. We're trying to broaden our menu to include some economical and quick local foods. Yesterday I remembered that one summer when I was backpacking in China, they served me a fried egg and rice for breakfast. It was surprisingly good. Today for lunch, we went that route...and I think it will definitely be a repeat.

Try it before you judge, ok?

2. I made the mistake of storing our tp under the sink. A leak was inevitable, right? Jude was glad to get some time to play with this oft-forbidden item during the dry time.

3. We had heard that we would probably be able to buy a tree here...but maybe not until the week before Christmas. To our delight, when we went to the mall this week, we discovered one store with a display of trees already up. We went ahead with the purchase...even though we had to lug it home via rickshaw. Now, Jude and I are working on salt dough ornaments in the evening:)

greeting the morning

2011-11-29T04:42:00.003-05:00

Woke up with a cold this morning. Jude's been teething. David's throat is sore. I opened that tattered 1949 prayer book that I found at a thrift store a few years ago and read these lines by Baillie:

Forbid that when all Thy creatures are greeting the morning with songs and shouts of joy, I alone should wear a dull and sullen face.

Miscellaneous Monday

2011-11-28T05:13:00.000-05:00

A few random insights into our little world:

1. I feel like we've crossed some threshold into adulthood. We decided to take the daily paper. This decision was primarily impacted by the $2 (yes, $2) per month investment. For now, we're opting for the English version...but by next year we might be reading in different script. That's pretty hopeful.

2. Speaking of language development, my brain feels fried from listening to vocabulary words repeatedly. It's recommended that we listen to each set of words 32 times before speaking them ourselves. That's a lot. Jude, on the other hand, is already saying a few words in his new mother tongue.

The dada saga continues with the little man. Now he's referring to all drinks as "cold" rather than water. The only explanation? Every time David turns on Jude's bath water, he says "cold."

3. I found a substitute for Izzy. Grappo Fizz doesn't sound quite as classy...but it's almost as tasty!

4. David and Jude are forever discovering new ways to turn household items into fun. Please don't think we're bad parents. Asian vacuums aren't as powerful as American vacuums:)

Progress

2011-11-25T11:51:00.002-05:00

I think Jude's making progress in adjusting to super-star status. This week we went to visit the old part of our city, and when a photo session erupted, Jude just perched himself on a little bar and posed for the crowd.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:46:00.006-05:00

Since we're almost a full 12 hours ahead of the home town, we've already baked our Thanksgiving delights and feasted with a few stray Americans in our parts. Jude was the primary chef in our house. (Actually, David made two fabulous rotisserie chickens since turkey was scarce:)

Even in this far off land, we weren't lacking good company....

...or delicious food...

...though it's certainly one of those days when we wish that living here didn't mean oceans between us and that family we're so grateful for in Tennessee. But here or there, our cup is overflowing.

Visitors Welcome

2011-11-23T05:11:00.000-05:00

The guest room is finally up and running...after the mattress was delivered at 10pm on Friday night:) Just wanted you to know that if you're ever in our neck of the woods, there's a place for you to stay.

The guest room once more doubles as our office. We opted to buy a very handmade wood table off the side of the road to serve as a desk. Cane chairs are very common here and are quite a bit more comfy than I suspected.

The yellow wall is undoubtedly my favorite color choice. I can just never get away from yellow. It's always a good choice for me. One of the delights of life here? Gerbera daisies are a mere 20c a stem. There's a flower seller just a rickshaw ride away who is always well stocked. David even wrote an extra $5 a month into our budget...just for fresh bouquets each week. Sweet hubs.

Come and visit?

Festival Fun

2011-11-22T05:06:00.000-05:00

This weekend, we took Jude to the Children's Film Festival at the local craft center. We didn't actually see any films, but there was plenty of excitement for us anyways:)

Jude attracted so much attention from the school children that it was a bit hard to do much besides avoid pinches and pictures:)

They were giving "oxcart" rides...and painted the horns blue to add to the fun:) Though it was tempting, we didn't jump aboard.

Hey Daddies

2011-11-21T05:20:00.000-05:00

We've noticed a curious development in Jude's verbal development this week. He no longer calls me "momma." Rather, both David and I are referred to as "dada." At first we thought it was a fluke, but after more careful observation, we're discovering that the little man prefers one simple solution for parental pleas. He'll be safely tucked in David's arms, and will stretch our his arms to me crying "dada, dada." He runs through the house looking for me, not David, with "dada" at the top of his lungs.

Alternately, he does the same for David, using the exact same title. Little boys are a mystery.

Hope this is only a phase.

Hospital Planning

2011-11-18T22:24:00.006-05:00

This week we took a tour of the hospital that I plan to deliver in when little bit arrives this Spring. I confess, I had high hopes. They were too high. My expectations were based on rave reviews of the doctor I selected. I didn't quite prepare myself for the asian-ness of the facilities though. I wasn't impressed.

I admit that my initial view made me re-think my decision to deliver here rather than go to a yet more modern city or fly to Thailand.

But, the reality is, all of my concerns were aesthetic. The hospital is known to have excellent care, my doctor has a great reputation...and if the floors are a dingy green instead of sparkling white, it's ok, right? Would it really be worth it to move the whole family to another city for a month so that I could have sparkling white floors and a delivery room without austere walls?

It wouldn't be.

I'm not sure when this all happened. I thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life in the bush of Africa and have all my babies in a mud walled hospital...and now, dingy green floors make me want to fly to Bangkok. Motherhood and age are changing me:)

Unless something drastic develops with this little one though, I'm sticking to the in-town plan. And I'll close my senses and put on socks when I walk past that shoe cabinet...yes, even in the hospital here, you have to take your shoes off before entering the delivery ward. What could be more sanitary, right? Thankfully, my mother plans to come for the delivery. If there's anyone I can confidently state can appropriately break through any cultural barrier to make sure things are more-than-taken-care-of, it's my mom.

In the meantime, Jude and little bit are already cuddling up together for naps. I love it. In the end, babies are always worth it. Shoeless ward or not:)

Drab to Fab

2011-11-18T04:52:00.002-05:00

Mark that project off the list! I'll call it success.

Goodyear?

2011-11-17T06:52:00.003-05:00

Nail in the tire = Stop at your local repair shop, right?

Not exactly what I imagined...but for $2.00 he did what every tire repair shop in Memphis does for $15.

In the meantime, lately every time I see a picture of Jude, I feel shocked. When did he grow up on me?

Big Brother Boot Camp

2011-11-16T04:54:00.000-05:00

With little brother on the way, we are trying to make small steps to prepare Jude for life as a big brother. Recently, prolonged rocking at night transitioned into story time and three songs before laying him down in the crib. Let me confess, for all of you mommas out there who can't believe I still rocked that one and a half year old to sleep, I have no regrets. A few nights of tears and he's in a new routine now. I loved, loved, loved holding him as he fell asleep. Perhaps even moreso in the stage when it was the only time I could seem to hold him.

The next step? Sometime early this spring, Jude will be moving into his "big" bed. We purchased bunk beds that could be separated so the railing is just perfect for a toddler bed and it's pretty low to the ground. The elephant quilt I found at a local market is perfect for our all-boy house! We don't want him to think the baby kicked him out of his bed, so...January or February will likely be when we dive into that change.

In the meantime, progress on feeding himself with a spoon....is a little slow:)

Brave Craftery

2011-11-15T05:07:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling brave in my crafting these days. A new space means my ideas have been a little bigger than usual. This could mean good things, it could just mean bigger failure:) We'll see.

Bethany J tipped me off to the wonder of pinterest.com where I spotted this amazing project posted by design-milk.com

If I had spotted it before we purchased our couch, I might have tried to re-create. However, it is the inspiration for my latest project.

In the end, most of the prices for the furniture I wanted to have made were beyond the time and money we wanted to spend. I was ready to have the house together and the cost was not significantly lower...though I probably would have ended up with some pieces I adored. We did have a simple bed frame made very inexpensively because I convinced David that I could come up with some kind of headboard on my own.

On a whim during jet lag, I had David paint the bedroom wall pink. It's taken me weeks to decide what I should actually do with the pink. The project? Create a pillow headboard (kind of like the couch) that will tie a few colors into the room. Hopefully, I will finish it up this weekend.

In the meantime, the acquisition of the plywood, fabric, etc has been good practice for language and a good experience with shopping in our local stores. I'll keep you posted!

Farm Fresh

2011-11-14T05:07:00.000-05:00

We don't pay extra here for free range eggs. Every thing's free range. We pay even less for fresh meat. When I say fresh...I mean, "wait while I boil the water and go out back for a minute." After a regrettable experience with "fresh" chicken in Africa, I was a vegetarian for 6 months. Once I did recover my carnivorous appetite, I never quite looked at meat the same way. So, when David had an itch for local meat instead of the frozen package at the Western grocery, I told him to go for it.

With these restrictions:

1. No raw meat smells in my presence.
2. A full bleaching of the kitchen after preparation.
3. No details about the acquisition or preparation of the meat.

Thus, my first glimpse of the meal was at this stage:

Ever since the purchase of our microwave/convection oven/rotisserie cooker, David's been dying to put something on the rotisserie. It was like a dream come true for him:) Note: ovens are rare and expensive commodities here. Most people just use the stove top for everyday cooking. If you've ever tasted an Asian baked good, you'll believe me:)

The end result...all prepared by hubs himself, was a remarkable success.

Faux Pas

2011-11-12T01:49:00.003-05:00

I took Jude down to the little grocery here at our apartment complex today. The workers there are always so friendly and helpful. We go there a lot.

At 5 months pregnant, Jude can be a bit more than I can manage with a bag of groceries...so I had him strapped in the stroller. Just as I finished checking out, a young worker came over and started to unstrap him and take him out. This is not uncommon. Strangers are frequently picking him up, taking him around, hugging him, kissing him, etc, etc. I think it's weird, but it's not to them..so I usually don't interfere.

But I was in a hurry to get back and I didn't really want to deal with a fit when he was eventually put back into the stroller, so I said simply, " Oh, sorry. We're just going now. Please don't take him out."

At which point the guard and all workers standing around looked a little startled. The boy looked like I had just slapped him in the face as he walked away. On the way out we tried to wave goodbye to him and he wouldn't even look my way. It was awful. Awful.

Our language teacher came as I arrived home (the reason I was in a hurry) and I told her the scenario and asked her if I had done something culturally offensive. She said he was probably very embarrassed and would have been offended by my direct words. it was like I was commanding him. (which of course, in the US is not a problem if someone is about to take your child, right?:) I should have just said that Jude would start crying and not directly told him not to take him out. Too direct.

So now, I've offended the entire Vijetha produce department and cashier section.

I'm in distress over the whole situation. This afternoon we may go down to apologize...but of course, we don't really speak the language so that probably won't go too smoothly.

As it is, I don't particularly want to go to the Vijetha ever again.

I think that is a sign of culture shock:)

To Aunt Lindsey

2011-11-11T07:37:00.002-05:00

With no aunt nearby to give Jude a haircut, we resorted to a local barber. It was a little more traumatic for Jude, a little more embarrassing for us. Let's just say that by the end of the cut...there were tears and hairs everywhere. It took all 4 barbers in the little salon to man him at some points. And we left with the top partially uncut. I'd say it's progress from our last attempt. I have to admit, if they'd been holding me down, I would have been a little afraid too.

Overall, for $1.20, I'd say we got our money's worth out of the deal. A little ice cream after smoothed it all over for everyone.

But, of course, we'd rather have gone to Aunt Lindsey.

Space Cadet

2011-11-10T05:22:00.000-05:00

....sometimes I wonder why we even bother to buy toys.

Re-Learning Hello

2011-11-09T05:31:00.001-05:00

David and I are beginning a program to learn the local dialect in our region. There are a number of reasons why this is immensely important to us. In the city, English is widely spoken as a second language by most. However, in the villages, the mother tongue of this area is a language unlike any to which we've yet been exposed. Eventually, we hope our business will open doors for us to go into more remote places and provide a means for some of the poorest to earn additional income.

In the meantime....we are spending a lot of time with our language teacher, a devout Hindu and native to this region:

The program we're following is very interactive and provided us with a huge collection of household and daily objects to help us learn a bit more experientially:) We spend a lot of time holding toys and asking "what is it?" Jude, of course, loves it. As you can see from the pic above, by the end of class, our living room looks like we had a wild play group.

To evoke a little sympathy from you, here's a sample of the lettering:

We have a long way to go!

Superstar

2011-11-08T05:46:00.004-05:00

One thing I didn't quite expect here? The repeated public photo sessions of Jude. He's like a rock star. At least once a day, someone asks to take his picture...or just takes it without asking:)

As for Jude, he's a little ambivalent. Maybe he's trying to be cool. In spite of our promptings, unless it's a family photo, he rarely smiles for the average joe photographer these days.

Hope we're not promoting vanity:)

On a Sunday

2011-11-07T05:34:00.003-05:00

We attended a Thanksgiving Offering Sunday at a friend's church yesterday in a nearby village. It was quite the cultural experience. I wore local attire, as visitors we received flowered garlands. We arrived at 10:30 and the service lasted until an amazing 2pm, after which we were served a lunch with some of the best chapati I've had so far.

By 3pm, when the choir descended upon Jude for a thorough pinching, it was too much for the little man. I have to hand it to him, those ladies pinched with a fierceness I've yet seen. His cheek was red for at least 30 minutes afterward. They felt a little badly when their act of love produced a few tears....

Possibly my favorite site since landing on continent? Rows of brightly dressed sisters, bowing their heads in prayer together during the service. Out of respect for the passage in 1 Corinthians, when the pastor begins to pray, most cover their heads with their saris. Beautiful.

And on the way home? The Sunday cattle market had Jude's full attention!

What I wish we had video of from the day? We started our morning with a taxi ride to the village, during which time I started to feel queasy. When we got out and started to walk toward the church, David's foot made an unfortunate placement. He tried to get whatever it was off, I walked away hoping not to catch a whiff. I walked the wrong direction and caught a whiff of something much worse. At which point, I started throwing up on the street corner. We were, of course, being watched. Realizing I was sick, South Asians started running out of their homes offering assistance.

It was hysterical. Thankfully, we'll probably never find that street corner again:)

a box of scratch

2011-11-05T06:13:00.004-04:00

I successfully made my first "scratch" cake last night to appease a craving we all had for some caramel frosting. I cut the recipe in half because the oven is actually the microwave (not to mention a rotisserie cooker:) and so pan size is a bit limited. It's definitely a dessert we'll repeat!

Yellow Cake
(from all recipes.com)

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
8 egg yolks
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 - 8 inch round pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped. Cool 15 minutes before turning out onto cooling racks.

Inside the Journal

2011-11-03T06:48:00.001-04:00

Primarily through email, and here in there through other means, I've gotten the question from several friends, "how are you really doing?" Never mind the funny blog posts, the crazy adjustments or the apartment decor. What about the heart?

The question has repeatedly been one I've put off over the past few weeks. It's not because I'm falling apart. Rather, there are seasons of life when it seems that prolonged periods of introspection are superfluous to the necessity of living. Let's be honest, it just took me an hour to 1. wash all of the salad goods in potassium permanganate so we don't get sick from eating them raw and 2. make a salad dressing. I haven't even started on the main course yet. I won't discuss with you the bowl of not so appetizing meat that's waiting for me in the fridge. The daily tasks of life here are taking my time and energy. In some ways, they seem to be taking more than what I possess.

I feel tired. And so in the morning I get up and I read that hearty Word that is faithful and constant through every age and season. Or sometimes I read it at 4pm when I finally sit down. I walk through the day believing that the promises are true and that God will not, at any point, bring more than what I can bear in His strength. And when things seem out of control, I tell my emotions that they may not rule me. I do, as I'm always quoting from dear E. Elliot, "the next thing." And when I have finished doing it, I do the next thing and so on. And when I feel my heart welling up with an overwhelming cry of "I can't do this for an indefinite number of years ahead," I slowly, slowly name my blessings and give thanks to the One who gives. I give thanks for the worm that just crawled out of the broccoli I was washing too...because He told me to, and He's wiser.

There are anxieties that fall upon me about how we will ever make a business work here, how we will manage with another little one to tend, how I will even get through the birth of that baby to start with in such a foreign place, how we will master a language in the midst of parenting, how we will faithfully love those around us whom we don't understand, how will I make it through Christmas without my little sister...and so forth. Each day has enough trouble of its own. So I move forward in this day, knowing that He said not to worry because He holds tomorrow. He's trustworthy enough to handle it on my behalf. All my days are numbered. His grace is sufficient.

I am glad that I can walk forward based on truth not on my own strength or power of emotion. If not, we might be on a plane. Foreign living is hard. I didn't have any misguided notions about that. The streets have beggars and half clad children knocking on car windows for change when they should be at home in families. There are overflowing orphanages and lame men on street corners. There are lavish office buildings, italian design companies and a realm so driven by money and power that even wallstreet would have to reckon with them. There are silly inconveniences and larger threats. And honestly, due to the city we're in, we have a far milder version here than I ever would have dared to hope or imagine from this country.

But, if in the end I had to sum up the reality of how we are really doing?

We are amply supplied, bountifully provided for, and overflowing with gracious gifts. Even on the far side of the sea, He is here.

Book Nook

2011-11-02T09:57:00.001-04:00

....enjoying his new room and the latest addition of a giant hippo:)

A Shout Out

2011-11-01T06:27:00.003-04:00

This one's for the Grandmas. To Nan Nan and Grammar:

Ok, so with all due love for the beloved title Grammar...it is just a bit more of a mouthful than NanNan. Sooner or later though!

Pumpkin Soup

2011-10-31T12:05:00.002-04:00

It doesn't exactly feel like fall here...though we are moving into the cool season. (Which apparently means it's below 95 in the daytime:)

In tribute to the season, last night I made pumpkin soup for dinner. I must be feeling more in my element in the kitchen again because I opted not to use a recipe. Just read a few tips online beforehand and brought in a helper for the messy part:)

After a little boiling, a little smashing, a little garlic and onion, and a lot more time than back in the days of that delightful canned pumpkin....

...... fall soup just in time for Reformation Day:) Don't be fooled by the touch of sour cream. It's curd. Yep. No sour cream....just curd. A fair substitute in a pinch:)

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. - Martin Luther

Frogger

2011-10-29T12:26:00.002-04:00

This is how we cross the street:

Please note that hubs and baby are standing on the center median while waiting to cross another lane of traffic. This is a mild scenario.

I admit that sometimes I break into a wild and panicked run across the street...while the South Asians calmly take their time beside me.

The Fort

2011-10-28T07:33:00.004-04:00

We took the day off from setting up house to celebrate David's birthday with a little touring of our new city. One of the historical places we've long wanted to visit is an old 16th century fort just beyond the city. It was well worth our time and gave us some spectacular views from the stronghold at the top.

After getting the brief introduction, we decided that trying to decipher local English was going to be more work than we were up to so we spent a few hours meandering around the grounds, relying on Lonely Planet to give us the high points of the history.

Of course, I had my camera handy to capture a few photos against those beautiful ancient walls.

I feel hopeful that today was my last big shopping trip for household goods. As we delve into language learning next week, there should be plenty more exploration to report in months to come!

Happy Birthday, Hubs!

2011-10-27T07:07:00.002-04:00

Today we are celebrating David's 31st birthday. His gift was imported all the way from America: the amazing 25th Anniversary concert dvd of Les Miserables. (If you haven't seen it, you should.) There was even a successful birthday breakfast of french toast, enjoyed by both the boys:)

Favorite moment? When our driver, whose been toting us around the city for a week and a half to get the house set up, presented David with this cake:

The icing is a bit like cool whip, but it was much tastier and sweeter than any baked good we've received so far. The sentiment from a new found friend meant the most. The fact that the cake reads Happy Birthday, David Sir is hilarious to us. From young to old, we're always addressed as sir and madam here. It's the influence of those Brits:)

Happy Birthday, dear Hubs. We love you.

Bombs Away

2011-10-26T10:56:00.004-04:00

Just to give you a taste of our first holiday evening in our new city of 9 million...here's a video or two from the roof of our building. They started shooting fireworks about 2 hours ago and it should last until at least midnight. It really sounds like we're in a war zone. We're not even downtown.

We started to go down to the skating rink...the designated "cracker" zone for our complex. But when we got in the elevator, we met another family in our building. The father showed us his charred shirt front. He said they were leaving because it was too crazy out there. He was almost a stray cracker victim. When a South Asian says it's too crazy, better stay inside:)

We opted for the roof top...and even there only lasted a few minutes. Jude is still dazed and afraid.

A Merry Diwali

2011-10-26T03:54:00.003-04:00

Today is climax of Diwali, a huge Hindu celebration inviting wealth, prosperity and happiness. We've been out shopping for household goods this week and the stores have been full of Diwali sales. So far, in addition to our purchases, we've acquired a rice cooker, 1500 R vouchers, a gold coin and a tea set. It's been comparable to Christmas Eve shopping all week long. Their houses are even decorated with lights!

Today they'll be celebrating with family, eating festive foods (the picture above is a box of "sweets" given to us by a new friend), performing pujas (worship ceremony to their gods), and waiting for what appears to be the main event...

...crackers. They celebrate Diwali with an insane amount of fireworks...which they refer to as "crackers." Last night we went down to observe. Not too much light from their crackers, but a lot of noise. It sounded like we were in a war zone half the night. Even now, I'm listening to periodic blasting that reminds me more of dynamite than fireworks. Apparently this is all the warm up. Tonight's the real show!

These people know how to celebrate.

The Incompetent Chef

2011-10-24T11:55:00.003-04:00

One of the hardest adjustments for me thus far?

Cooking.

I wouldn't call myself a master chef, but it's been a while since I've felt incompetent when it comes to basic meal preparation. When I think about cooking dinner, a huge blank comes to mind and I sit listlessly on the sofa.

I bought a package of pre-made Idly batter at the local grocery this weekend. I wasn't really sure what Idly might be, but it seemed like a simple enough thing to prepare based on the package. As it turns out, I was supposed to have an Idly cooker...and when I googled the ingredients? Fermented rice and beans ground into a batter.

Don't be fooled by the golden pancake above. It tasted like cooked fermentation.

I felt I needed a boost of confidence, so I cooked up some no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. A never failing success. I got such rave reviews from my boys, I'm considering making a batch every day just to give me hope.

Thankfully, the fruit here is amazing...and cheap. As it turns out, of all things, Jude is really into pomegranate these days:) Who'd have guessed?

I'm not sure you'll be getting many recipes out of me in the months to come. But I can almost guarantee a few good stories from the kitchen!

Pinchable

2011-10-21T10:33:00.002-04:00

I was fairly warned that locals are known to pinch wee ones. But it still caught me off guard when we were in a shop and a complete stranger leaned down to kiss Jude and give his cheeks a good pinching.

Our most extreme example so far happened earlier in the week.

David and I were feeling adventurous. We popped Jude into the backpack carrier and headed out in the crazy local transportation called a 7-in-1. It's a mini-van that usually holds a few more than 7 in 1. A step down from a rickshaw, a ride all the way down the street outside our complex is a steep 20cents per person.

The way to get out of a 7-in-1 is to make some sort of grunting sound that we haven't mastered...or to yell "stop." It can be hard to gauge just where you are from inside the minivan. We were looking for some cheap wooden stools that they sell on the side of the road. We miscalculated.

As soon as we stepped out and the van drove off, we realized that we were right in front of a shanty town of tarp houses. Westerners aren't exactly frequents there, so the moment we were spotted a rush of little faces came charging toward us. They wanted to shake our hand. They wanted to say hello. They wanted to follow us. But most of all....they wanted to pinch Jude.

And pinch him they did. None of our pleas could prevent a thorough pinching of the little man, who held on for dear life in a dazed & confused stupor. Finally, when we were getting desperate, a local yelled something at them and they backed away from Jude at least.

Whew. Let's just say we all slept well that night.

Poor kid. With cheeks like his, he's got a lot comin' to him.

color me coral

2011-10-20T05:09:00.000-04:00

When I think about things that I want my boys to remember about their childhood, one thing that comes to mind is color. I want it to be a time when things were bright and interesting. I think that one of the reasons I enjoy art, nature and just beauty in general as an adult is because, as a child, my mother surrounded us with beauty. It's a gift I want to pass along.

These thoughts (and a few too many issues of Better Homes & Gardens:) have been fueling my color choices for our new apartment. (yes, I have the sweetest hubs in the world...he's painting away) I'm trying to be bolder and braver than I usually am.

The worst that can happen is a really tacky house, right?

Every time I see a coral wall in a magazine, I love it. But I've never dreamed of actually doing it to my own house. Until South Asia, the land of bright colors. If our front dining room isn't anything else, it's going to be bright!

While David labors away, Jude and I are working on unpacking those big suitcases....without much apparent progress:)

Can't wait to show you the end result!

Boy Mom

2011-10-19T06:32:00.001-04:00

I've been wondering lately if I'm cut out to be a boy-mom after all. With a second little man on the way, my sights are set on at least a few more years of muddy hands, wild climbers, and boundless energies. I felt that I was making progress with Jude. I was starting to relinquish an unrealistic expectation of cleanliness and let him roll around more in the mud. David continually assures me that it's good for him. I was learning when and where to burn off some of that energy in a healthy way.

Enter our move to South Asia.

An innocent splash in a puddle here that once was fun, now evokes a level of horror in me that I can't express. Where is that water coming from and what exactly is in it? Doubtful that the origin is a sprinkler hose watering a lawn.

I admit that I used to let Jude eat most food that had fallen to the ground. Shudder if you will, I convinced myself that, for the most part, it just builds immunity. But here, when he finds that leftover cookie soaking up dirt and pops it into his mouth before I can grab it, I feel like a failure as a mother. I'm sure he'll have worms or some terrible tropical illness by next week.

Dirt aside, let's talk about energy. When he's awake, he moves. That's that. Sure, we sit to read stories or listen to music or play with cars, but for the most part...constant motion. If there's a rail, he climbs it. If there's a chair, he mounts it. If there's a trail, he blazes down it.

At 4 months pregnant, in the midst of a move, barely over jet lag, with plenty of smells to exasperate nausea, I confess....I'm having a hard time keeping up. It's been the source of more than one discussion in our house this week. David, of course, is stepping in like super-dad and running the little man whenever he can. But I feel like I'm just coming out of a haze.

I dug through our luggage earlier this week to find that tiny book I just can't recommend to young moms enough: Loving the Little Years. And, as always, I found encouragement for my heart. I've taken comfort this week in a hilariously quirky metaphor about smoke detectors and her cleaning instincts with 5 young kids around. Pardon the long quote:

"We have fire alarms, and we keep them around to awaken us if there is a fire in the middle of the night, and we need to run out of the house only grabbing our children. That is what my cleaning instincts are like - they are in place to keep the house from going up in dust-bunny flames. But here is the problem: sometimes it was not the house burning down so much as it was just a burnt peice of toast. And we all know from experience that fire alarms are not to be trusted for perspective in these situations. Neither are your instincts. There are times when the only thing to do is remove the batteries. Turn it off. Stop panicking about the long-term effects of yucky fridge shelves. Let it go for a minute. Open the door and wave a cookie sheet around or something." - R. Jankovic

My world is going to see a lot more crumbs, climbed chairs and runaway toddlers. I'm not failing as a mother. This is a season for me to embrace and grow through. God gave Jude to me to mother....dirt and all.

The Amenities

2011-10-18T09:43:00.002-04:00

A few of you have asked for more specifics on the new apartment...so here are a few details you may or may not want to know:)

My original post about the two options we'd narrowed it down to did not include this complex. It wasn't even on our radar at that time. It's a bit further into the city than we originally intended to be. But, it's basically self-sustaining so we don't have to fight traffic a lot for basics. The pic above gives an idea of what it looks like...only a lot more buildings. There's a restaurant and small grocery just a few buildings away from us. With over 2000 units on site, it's little wonder. These are high rise buildings but we're only on the 3rd level. Perfect for a breeze and still low to the ground!

All the basic amenities of a large complex are here: a pool, gym, concrete skate rink, badminton court, playground....and a hindu temple. Jude's favorite is undoubtedly the play area.

The hilarious and wonderful surprise? There's a mini-golf course right around the corner. David is a big fan of mini-golf, and he never dreamed he'd get to impart his skills on Jude so soon. It's the little things, right:)

Hope that gives you a better picture of what we're living amidst. More on setting up house later...today we purchased a living room set, fridge, microwave/oven, dishes, and vacuum. We're tired!

The Furniture Store

2011-10-17T05:57:00.002-04:00

We've heard good things about the craftsmen here in South Asia. So...we're on the brink of being a bit adventurous in our furniture selections. I brought a favorite magazine, cut out pictures, and handed them off to this "store."

I'm still awaiting the quotes: one price for teak, another for bobble(?) wood. The outcome of the bargaining will be one of the determining factors of just how much will be hand made.

I'll let you know how it turns out!

Sights & Smells

2011-10-15T11:51:00.003-04:00

Most of our exploration of the city so far has been via a car window on the way to check out apartments or look at furniture. But, to give you a little taste of what we're seeing and experiencing...here are a few on the move shots of the city:

In light afternoon traffic:

A city street corner:

Construction zone...I've never seen a city with so much construction. There are half finished high rises everywhere!

Yesterday, we met our language teacher for a traditional lunch. The meal was more customary for the northern region than for our city, but nonetheless, it's a good sampling. Let's just say: they like it hot.

More to come!

Sentimental Silhouette

2011-10-13T22:39:00.004-04:00

I've been intending to post a little craft I made for my mom just before we left the states. Inspired by a necklace I saw in Southern Living, I love the finished product.

How To:
I thought it would be a bit more complex to create, but honestly it took about 20 minutes and less than $5 ( if parts are on sale). I took a silhouette picture of Jude in front of a window, printed it in b & w at a reduced size. The cut out was made a bit easier by some tiny pointed sewing scissors. Hobby Lobby has fabulous glass press pendants in their jewelry department. The paper needs to be pretty thin to get it to press into the frame, so card stock probably wouldn't work. I put the necklace onto a press clasp chain that is also available in the jewelry section.

I think it's a perfect gift for the grandma who has just about everything!

Home Sweet Home

2011-10-13T08:25:00.003-04:00

We were beginning to feel weighed down by all of the apartment hunting we've been doing over the last few days. Truth be known, last night around 1:30am when I woke up, I had a little break down. We've been shuffling suitcases for over 3 months now, and I'm tired. With great joy...today we turned a corner.

One of the main selling points? The most beautiful kitchen I've seen in any apartment...in America or otherwise:)

The dining room/den with a balcony overlook. We tested the bars and little Jude can't quite squeeze through...there's also a child bar at the top should he decide to climb overboard:)

Shower doors are a rare and precious commodity here. I think I've only seen one other apartment that actually separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom. Usually, it's just all a wet space.

S Asians have an amazing affection for cabinetry. I've never seen so many cabinets in small spaces. We'll have no need of drawers or chests. Every bedroom has a full wall of cabinets. This set is right there in the main room, ready to meet my every storage need.

The best part? 4 little air-con units adorn this home. For this pregnant gal, that's enough to make me sign a lease on the spot. Of course, the power has to be on to actually use them:)

More on the apartment later. We hope to be moving in within the week.

Giving thanks.

Rickshaw Rides

2011-10-11T19:33:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Jude rode in his first rickshaw. From the expressions on his face, I'd say he feels the same way I do about the insane traffic here...

I'm thinking about doing our Christmas card on a rickshaw hood:)

The Apartment Hunt

2011-10-10T17:40:00.003-04:00

It's 3am. Jude is stirring. David is trying to keep him asleep.

I'm wide awake, sitting in the hotel bathroom, eating Pringles, listening to what appears to be a terrible cat fight and reading wonderful emails from home with teary eyes.

I intended to take some pictures today, but I never pulled my camera out of my bag. So...you'll have to content yourselves with words.

The apartment hunt has been a bit crazy. We've found several possibilities...but every building has its drawbacks. We're trying to weigh those out and make a decision soon.

There are two that I am waffling between.

Option one is brand new. beautiful marble floors throughout, huge wood cabinets, a bathroom in every bedroom, a delightful Jude friendly balcony, and a landscaped area underneath. The most amazing aspect? There is disco lighting in the front living room and blue recess lighting in the dining room. South Asians like their bling.

The drawback? It's a brand new building. There is still scaffolding up on the sides, dust in all the hallways and undoubtedly drilling for the better part of the day. That could continue for 6 months to a year.

Option two is not a new building but it's newer. Therefore, its still fresh...but without the construction. They have a great gym, dance classes, a play area with grass, a beautiful, but very cold pool, marble floors (which are apparently about as cheap as concrete here!), a small but nice kitchen. Less square footage but closer into town.

The drawback? We could only visit a friend in an occupied apartment. There isn't an opening until November 15. Yikes. Yikes. Yikes. That means we would be staying with a colleague for a month...with our one year old. That's a pretty big drawback, right? The bright side (for them:) is that they've already planned to go out of town for all but 6 days of that time.

We're going to try to take another look tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted.

Farewells, Flights & Four AM

2011-10-09T18:00:00.005-04:00

Farewells: I hate goodbyes. These were some of the worst we've ever had to say...

Flights: If I had to rate our flight experience on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the worst possible and 10 being near perfection.... I'd give it a 9.5. Besides a brief breakdown somewhere over the Atlantic, (and the breakdown was actually me, not Jude) we had a fantastic flight experience. Jude was a dream toddler, even without the benadryl:)

Four AM: And now it's 4am, we're in a South Asian hotel dancing to Andrew Peterson, playing with Hot Wheels, and eating leftover Domino's from last night. Yep, Domino's. David and I might be content to sleep, but....

So far, so good:) In our first 12 hours we saw 4 possible apartments, ate a traditional lunch complete with nan and kabobs, visited an insanely Western mall, bought our first round of groceries...including boxed milk, I threw up in our colleagues' car (nothing like a good first impression by this pregnant gal), and ate at both KFC and Domino's. Whew. It's been quite a wild day.

On Our Way

2011-10-07T13:09:00.000-04:00

Penny found. Bags packed.

South Asia here we come!

X-rays & Anniversaries

2011-10-06T11:56:00.003-04:00

We started our 4th anniversary with a trip to the hospital this morning. David took Jude in to check out the penny.

Looks like we should be finding it any day now.

Normally, they wouldn't have ordered the x-ray so quickly, but when we mentioned that we'd be airborne for 21 hours tomorrow...they decided to take a look. They didn't seem concerned at all based on the penny position:)

Otherwise, we're notarizing last minute documents, weighing those 51lb bags, and enjoying last moments with family.

There isn't a man on the planet I'd rather be adventuring with than my sweet hubs. Happy Anniversary, David!

Penny Pincher

2011-10-04T22:26:00.003-04:00

Jude swallowed a penny this morning.

Don't ask why he had a penny. We're that kind of parents.

I called the pediatrician...thinking she'd tell me not to worry about it. She didn't. She warned about vomiting and other adverse symptoms that might require an emergency room trip.

If we don't "find" it by tomorrow, I'm supposed to call back. It's possible little Jude will be going in for an X-ray.

Sometimes, a laid back approach to parenting catches up with you.

Little Boys

2011-10-03T21:30:00.002-04:00

That's right. Two little boys in our household. This March, Jude should be joined by another little man.

I'm two for two on my mother's intuition:)

Begging

2011-10-03T05:35:00.000-04:00

I have a doctors appointment this morning. I know I'm only 16 weeks and they don't usually do that ultra-sound until 20 weeks. But I'll be unashamedly begging that doctor to give me an ultra-sound.

I could be announcing little brother or little sister as soon as tomorrow.

A pregnant woman on her way to South Asia has to evoke some sympathy in a doctor's heart, right?

Etching Memories

2011-09-29T13:59:00.002-04:00

This morning I said goodbye to my 80 year old grandmother. It is unlikely that we'll return for a visit for three years or so. That is an especially long time in child-year and aged-years. When we drove away, she was sitting on her porch, surrounded by her beloved plants, holding the latest stray dog that's found its way into her hospitality.

These are hard goodbyes. I'm grateful for a mind that etches moments into memories.

459 lbs

2011-09-28T05:29:00.001-04:00

We found out this week that our actual baggage allotment with the airline is 3 bags, 51lbs each, per person.

I asked hubs what they charge for overage. He just looked at me for a minute.

He said that if we can't fit what we need into 459 lbs, we'd have to have a little talk.

That settles that.

Fear Factor

2011-09-27T12:23:00.001-04:00

One of the first things that comes to my mind when I think about South Asia? Insane traffic. We're talking millions of cars piled into lanes without lines, lights that mean nothing, cows that block roadways, and motorcycles that dash in and out of every open space. And what exactly do I plan to be riding through that craziness in? Rickshaws and little three wheeled bikes...with a one year old and no car seat. Not even a seat belt.

It ties my stomach in knots.

I think about it more than I should. And I've been trying to stop. This week, Psalm 121 seems to be popping up all over my little world. It's bringing a calm that wouldn't naturally erupt. It's reminding me that there's a lot that's outside of my control, rickshaws included.

But out of my control does not mean out of control. I have a feeling there are going to be an awful lot of aspects of life in SA that bring that Psalm to mind.

He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121

A Barrel of Fun

2011-09-26T06:08:00.002-04:00

It goes without saying that when we get together with our college friends, Cracker Barrel will be involved. Home style cooking just goes with old friendships. On our trip back from Georgia, we stopped to initiate Jude into the wonders of CB.

Those delightful rocking chairs...

And that infuriating peg game...

All that was missing was a familiar face or two from our old MC days.

Cousin Love?

2011-09-24T17:01:00.003-04:00

Jude loved his first visit with his new little cousin, John Mark...kind of. He patted his baby toes, stared in wonder at his noises in the car, played with his swing and carrier, and slept in his crib. But when David took John Mark in his arms for the first time, I'm ashamed to say, Jude came to dad's knee, took one look, and threw himself to the floor in a heap crying. Love is a complicated matter as a one year old.

As for Uncle David and Aunt Laura....undecidedly adore those chubby Dawkins cheeks and amazing blond hair! Good to meet you, John Mark!

Travel Log

2011-09-22T20:15:00.002-04:00

We closed up house in Virginia, said our goodbyes, Jude graduated from culture school, and we boarded a plane in the wee hours of the morning. Now, we're hugging on that sweet little John Mark in Georgia. Needless to say, it's been a long day...

Never Say Never

2011-09-20T08:54:00.002-04:00

Despite our previous inhibitions, we bought a baby leash.

The anticipation of 27 hours in an airport can make a parent do strange things.

Round Two

2011-09-19T13:51:00.002-04:00

Just in case you're wondering about the pregnant world of Laura, here are a few details for all those sympathizing gals out there.

Nausea:
I'd say this level was reduced by at least 25-40% in the first few months compared to my pregnant days with Jude. Until 2 weeks ago, I had no need to carry a trash can around with me. Of late, it's been picking up pace. This morning sweet Jude came in to greet me. He gave me baby kisses and I suddenly got a whiff of his diaper. Let's just say, the results were very unpleasant.

Fatigue:
At least once a week, I am tempted to call my doctor and ask if it is normal to sleep 9-10 hours at night, nap in the afternoon, and still feel exhausted all day long. I mentioned it at my last appointment and she said, "yep." They've already checked me for low iron, thyroid, etc. No excuses, just a one year old and a crazy schedule.

Predictions:
I've been considerably less sick, which might mean Jude should get ready for a baby sister. My gut prediction: boy. It's my unwavering feeling.

Due Date:
The official is March 17, 2012. I think the ultrasound is predicting a little to early. March 24, 2012 has been my calculation from the beginning. Somehow...after a 10lb, 15oz baby, I seriously doubt I'll get away without an induction on #2.

The Birth:
Yes, if all goes as planned, this will be our first international baby. Word on the street is, I may be able to deliver in our city...not far from our little apartment. I'm anticipating some hilarious cultural situations when I think of me in the office of a South Asian OB/GYN. The bad news so far? Apparently, it's illegal in SA to determine gender at that beloved 20 week ultrasound.

Oh. no.

How can I monogram? I have heard that they sometimes make an exception for foreigners. We shall see. I will be exactly 16 weeks when we fly out...and I'm planning to schedule an appointment the day or so before and BEG the ultrasound tech to take a little peek.

We cannot WAIT to meet this new little person!