tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66291087163901386052024-02-19T07:50:58.416-08:00Post-partum DiariesLife moments and learnings, following Jesus, wife-ing, parenting, and adopting...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-91390582736405589532018-12-06T05:19:00.004-08:002018-12-06T05:27:17.448-08:00Living and Loss It has been a long time since I wrote (as I seem to begin most posts), but let's pick up as though we are old friends in the midst of conversation.<br />
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My grandfather passed away the other day. Night? Day? I'm not exactly sure. I received the message from my brother in the middle of what was the night for me, but for them, I believe it was late afternoon.<br />
My grandfather, Charles L. Wiggins, Sr., was wonderful, witty, creative, and talented. He loved Jesus, my Grandma Jane, and the five of us grandkids just a little bit more than he loved black coffee with two pink packets of sweet-and-low, and that's saying something. He loved my mom and her brother, too, but really, they became chopped liver once I entered the scene.<br />
When I was a baby, I would spend the night at my grandparents' house, and I would wake them in the mornings with my whistling. I learned to whistle at a very young age because my PawPaw whistled whenever he walked, wherever he walked. And I liked him a lot, so whistling was naturally how I would get his attention.<br />
Pawpaw would be the one who would wrap us up like burritos in our bath towels and then toss us on the bed to unroll in a spinning heap of laughter. When we had school assignments requiring artistic ability, PawPaw would become a comic strip writer and complete our homework beautifully, our teachers somehow none the wiser. PawPaw taught us how to set trotlines and tie proper knots on our fishing hooks, although I think Grandma would like to claim credit for gifting us the luck of drawing fish to our lines.<br />
My grandfather retired before my grandma did, so when my mom went back to work, PawPaw was the one who would pick us up when the school nurse called to say we were sick. Depending on what ailed you, he would prepare the most delicious mashed baked potato, chocolate milkshake or chicken noodle soup. He would talk about his days as an army cook and the number of potatoes he had peeled for one meal, and I always thought how kind he was to even look at another potato, but especially one made just for me. After you were fed, you were promptly set up in the guest bedroom with your very own television, and for me, he made sure to have it tuned to the Great Chefs program on PBS.<br />
Every Christmas Eve, PawPaw insisted we read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two before we were allowed to go near our presents. His prayers at dinners and family gatherings always felt like they were from down deep, from a place I wanted to know--soulful, knowing prayers, like he talked to Jesus regularly, because, well, he did.<br />
When I went to stay with my parents in the depths of my post-partum depression with Emma Jane, my PawPaw came to babysit me. I think he looked at me and said a few off-color words, and then he just held my baby and made me laugh for the day.<br />
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One can fall into a false thinking that while you are away from your homeland, all will remain the same without you. You see glimpses of change on your yearly visits, perhaps a few more gray hairs or a slower gait, but you somehow push those things aside and pretend everyone will live in a time vacuum for the remainder of your assignment away. So when mortality arrives, and you lose someone who you love (more than coffee), it is <i>hard</i>, and it takes a bit longer to process.<br />
I wasn't there to regularly see my grandfather getting older, weaker, and more tired, and even if my parents had tried to tell me it was happening, I probably would not have listened. So when I was crying and asking God why he couldn't have waited just a little longer (we go home in the summer), I heard in my heart, "He didn't want to do therapy." If you knew my grandfather (and knowing different forms of rehabilitative therapy are part of life as you age), you would know why that whisper in my heart made me laugh even through my tears.<br />
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I believe that my PawPaw is now in Heaven with Jesus, that he is standing tall and worshiping with his beautiful voice. I know I will see him again one day, but until then, I treasure each and every moment of living that we had together.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-20355289326451335932018-03-02T04:24:00.001-08:002018-03-02T04:25:12.086-08:00The Lonely Loveliness of SnowHey, guys!<br />
I know my friends and family back in the Houston area are complaining about 78 degree temps, so let me just give you a glimpse into our Budapest weather at the moment. There is currently about a foot of snow on the ground in my yard. Yesterday the sun came out for a blissful few hours, and the snow on roofs and balconies began to melt a bit, but the air temperature remained below freezing for the day, as it has been for the past 5 days. Five days. Of below freezing temperatures. You guys, it's one thing to step outside and to be grateful for pockets to keep your hands warm on a cold day; it is another thing entirely to step outside and have any bit of unprotected skin immediately begin stinging as the frozen air slaps that 98.6 degrees right off the surface. To safely go outside, you have to prepare 30 minutes beforehand by putting on an additional 12 layers of warm, waterproof clothing.<br />
Last year, the snow was a novelty. This year, I am seriously ready for spring.<br />
In all seriousness, though, there is a depressing loneliness that accompanies the gray days of winter. I had heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but even with my firsthand knowledge of depression, I questioned its actuality. After walking into the elementary school counselor's office this morning and falling apart over little nothings, I can tell you, SAD exists, and for good reason.<br />
As mentioned before, it takes time and effort to get dressed to go out in this weather, so even if the sun does make a quick appearance, you sometimes talk yourself out of the effort of soaking up some Vitamin D. When there is snow and ice on the ground, it is difficult to find the motivation to get out of the car at school drop-off, so you kiss the kids, watch them walk in, and then you drive away, never speaking to or connecting with the few English speaking friends you would have had in your day. The roads can be messy and dangerous, so rather than have your friend meet you at a coffee shop, you tell them to stay home where they are safe. There is an isolation that can come from the elements. The hibernation can be nice and needed at times, but when connection with people is what gives you refreshment and life, sitting inside your snow globe of a house can be a very lonely thing.<br />
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I promise I did not write this post to depress you guys or make you worry about me. I am treating myself with grace, preaching the Gospel to myself, taking my Prozac and chocolate regularly, and excercising to keep the Serotonin flowing. What I really intend in writing this post is if you are in a place where it is 78 degrees, I want to challenge you to get together with your people and to be grateful that the weather is encouraging community rather than isolation.<br />
I was listening to my favorite podcast (<a href="https://jamieivey.com/category/podcast-2">The Happy Hour </a>with Jamie Ivey), and she had a guest on her show who talked about this awesome thing she does called Neighbor's Table. (*see more info <a href="http://www.neighborstable.com/about/">here</a>) She just has people over, gathered around an outdoor dining table. They share a meal, and they enjoy sweet conversation. They connect and share life, even if they began the evening as strangers. Y'all. You can bet your sweet apple pie that once Spring comes to Budapest, I will be doing something of the sort. As much as I love alone time, I believe God created us to do life together. This season of hibernation will come to an end (praise Jesus), and when it does, I want to have my heart and my home ready for people to be welcomed into our space.<br />
But my friends back in Texas, you have no excuse to not get on this now. <u><i>Today.</i></u> If you can safely drive to a girlfriend's house and have coffee while you fold each other's laundry, that is life-giving. If two families can get together in one of your backyards and let the kids run and play while you sit and drink tea, you will all be blessed. A potluck dinner shared among friends new and old can only lead to more shared life in the future. You need to do this... because your soul needs it...and because 2000 miles away, I am counting down the days until the snow melts and I can invite people to come to my house and be the best medicine for my SAD.<br />
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Last week, Clark, the kids, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I were in Austria skiing in the Alps (life is really hard for us, I know). We had a wonderful time, and Clark and the big kids are becoming great skiers. Our next vacation will be with friends to Dubai--- FRIENDS+SUNSHINE! WHOOHOO. Here are some pictures from our week in Austria.<br />
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Love you more than hot chocolate!<br />
xoxox<br />
Katelyn<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-32917963972342576112018-02-16T04:11:00.002-08:002018-02-16T08:05:50.131-08:00How to Stop Being a People Pleaser Good afternoon from the once again snow-covered hills of Buda.<br />
As most of my friends and family know, I really like for people to be happy, especially in relation to <b><u><i>me</i></u></b>. It is very important that I always do the right thing, whatever that may be, and I struggle with wanting to somehow ensure everyone <b><u><i>else's</i></u></b> satisfaction with my performance in life. This is not always possible, nor should it be our focus in life. Below are some helpful tips on how to overcome the issue of people pleasing.<br />
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1.)Move to a foreign country.<br />
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I don't speak the language. You don't speak English. You want to read my gas meter, but I<br />
don't know where it is.<br />
There was a sign on the road back there that looks like I'm approaching a railroad crossing, but <br />
now someone is yelling at me in Hungarian and motioning with their hands that they want me to<br />
move my car...<br />
I'm sorry I am going slow, but I am deathly afraid of being pulled over by the police here.<br />
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<a href="https://welovebudapest.com/en/2015/04/16/survival-guide-driving-laws-in-hungary/">See Hungarian driving laws here.</a><br />
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Could you please pour my latte into a disposable paper cup? Because I forgot that the standard is a real, latte glass, and you expect me to sit and read while I enjoy my coffee. In America, the standard is "to-go". I'm not saying that's right, but I am feeling guilty about making you, Mr. Barista, change my coffee into a paper cup.<br />
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I forgot to label my produce with the SKU, so now you, un-smiling-grocery-checker-lady, can either wait while I go weigh my bananas, or you can put them back later.<br />
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2.) Have Three Children.<br />
I think, instead, that should just read, "Have children." Just TRY to keep everyone else in the world happy while you pinch your misbehaving two year old. Somebody won't like the misbehavior, but somebody won't like the discipline. Good luck.<br />
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No matter how much I try, those little people are bound to sin at some point today, and I feel like if they mess up or bother someone or breathe, I will receive "the look" from some perfect person at some point in my day implying that surely I could do better. Nope. I am leaning hard on Jesus, I'm already tired tomorrow, and the doctor said I should run instead of take prozac (Hahaha. She's got a sense of humor, that one does.). If you want to enter my circus, these monkeys will become your monkeys.<br />
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3.)Hire a house cleaner.<br />
Y'all. Okay, so this is an area where I'm still a work in progress. The non-people pleaser<br />
Katelyn would be like, "Hello! Here's my house. Thank you so much!"<br />
I am <u><b><i>so</i></b></u> worried about how my mess will reflect on me that I literally <i>just </i>lied to the new house<br />
cleaner. "I'm so sorry about how messy the house is. I've been sick for, like, two weeks."<br />
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If you add the word "like", it can be hyperbole, right? It <i>felt</i> like I was sick for two weeks, but it <br />
was one..., and it was a month ago. Really I was just trying to throw my husband and kids under<br />
the bus for the messy state of my house. <b>WE ARE ALL TO BLAME</b>! And why am I apologizing<br />
for my messy house and all the work they will have to do? Why am I seeking their approval? I have<br />
just guaranteed them job security. In fact, one pulled me aside a few minutes ago and said very<br />
kindly, "If you call my number, I can come more often." Sounds like a win for all of us!<br />
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So there you have it, friends, my tips for how to stop being a people pleaser. Let me know how these tips work for you and if you have any other tips and tricks you would like to add.<br />
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BIG HUGS FROM BUDAPEST!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-46713046737609169252018-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:002018-02-03T12:51:33.623-08:00Foreign Exchanges Sziastok! (*Howdy, y'all!)<div>
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January somehow disappeared, and I've been told we are already to the 3rd day of February! Between sick kids and then succumbing to "The Budapest Plague" myself (a really bad cold... possibly the flu), the last few weeks have left me feeling disconnected from "normal" life. Strangely, I draw comfort from knowing that Texans are dealing with the flu, too... like it's not an issue isolated to my current setting. That probably sounds terrible, like, "Yay! Y'all are sick, too!" I guess a common problem just makes the distance not feel so great. </div>
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Something I absolutely love about our time here is all the amazing people from all around the world that I get to do life with. We live in Hungary, so obviously there are many Hungarians with whom we interact on a regular basis, but the diversity within my social circles makes my heart happy. I regularly enjoy coffee with women from The Netherlands, Romania or Canada. A hug from my friend from India is a welcome greeting in the middle of the week. Last week Clark and I ate haggis and danced to Scottish folk songs at the Burns Supper with our Scottish friend. "Hello, mate!" from a New Zealand-er always makes me smile. Waving at my English friend when it looks like no one is in the driver's seat of her car is a bit unnerving, but then I remember her car is from the UK. In my short time in Hungary, I have made acquaintances with people from every corner of the world, and in getting to know them and a small bit about their culture, my life has been so enriched. </div>
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Being that we non-Hungarians are all in a land foreign to us, we have arrived on fairly neutral territory. There are perhaps European similarities from country to country that might afford one expat a slight advantage over another, but in general, we are all here representing our unique cultures, not trying to assimilate or blend in with the Hungarians, just trying to live well among many people different from us. And the varied struggles to maintain our individual, cultural norms somehow unite us. </div>
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Another blog for anther day would be about how different Texans are from the rest of the United States... </div>
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Sending Texas-sized hugs from Budapest!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-75639382313038585472017-10-15T04:05:00.001-07:002017-10-15T05:13:47.601-07:00"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15 I regularly take "breaks" from blogging. Usually the time between posts is consumed with living: momming three of my favorite humans, exploring our temporary home in Budapest, grocery shopping in Hungarian, and drinking more coffee than ever before. I try to balance being with the ones who are here and sharing our experiences with friends and family, but if I'm going to fall behind on one of those tasks, I think it should be the latter.<br />
This time, the break from blogging was different. I literally had dozens of posts swirling in my brain, just waiting to be shared, but this time, I couldn't. The "new post" button at the top of my page could not be pushed. Or would not.<br />
<b><i> Because I had Hurricane Harvey survivor guilt, and I refused to go on sharing joyful living while my friends and family were in the midst of a mess</i></b>.<br />
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Can you even be called a survivor if you are not present to survive a storm? I'm not sure. Though we were not physically there, I know of few other times that my heart has been so far away from my present location. Clark and I truly felt we had a better understanding of the idea of "mourning with those who mourn", but mourn was all it felt like we could do. I could not open up my home to make guest beds and pallets for those whose homes were not dry. I could not cook warm meals for the masses. I could not even send needed supplies due to inaccessible roads. I could watch, hear stories, and hurt deeply.<br />
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Hurricane Harvey hit shortly after we returned from a vacation to Norway. I had a million pictures to post and planned captions to share, blogs planned about vacationing to Bergen with children, but my Grandma Jane's birthday party got cancelled. And school start dates got pushed back. And then my friends had water in their houses.<br />
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My children began school, and routine life went on for us, which all felt very wrong. Emma would hear her classmates discussing the storm, and she would listen as they discussed the devastation to our home. I told her often that though our friends and family were effected by the storm, they were safe, and they were working to get things back to normal. A few weeks into school, I passed by Emma's class to say hi before she headed to Girl Scouts. She was having an argument of sorts with her teacher, and she was actually being, in my opinion, rather disrespectful. The teacher saw me, and, looking as confused as I felt, he asked if I could please talk to Emma about the project they were working on. She had basically refused to do it. The assignment was to interview a family member about their culture. I couldn't understand why she was being obstinate about something like that. I looked into her eyes and saw she was about to cry, so she and I headed to the parking lot to chat in private. When we got in the car, she fell apart. When she could calm down enough to verbalize her feelings, she said, "But Momma, interviewing over the phone is not the same. I miss them so much."<br />
Harvey hit us in a different way than it hit Southeast Texas. Harvey hit with a gust of homesickness and grief that neither Emma nor I had felt in our 14 months abroad. Hurricane Harvey brought me to the realization that I need to share my hurts with my daughter so that she doesn't think she has to be tough all the time. It also reminded me to bloom where God has planted me. For whatever reason, God thought it best that Clark and I were here, a million miles away, during hurricane season 2017. Who here needs a hot meal? Who here needs a helping hand? Who here just needs a friend? Because I have been prepared and trained, and I am here.<br />
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After my cry with Emma, I also realized I need to be thankful for the joys that we are getting to experience here. I never want to belittle my friends' hurt or struggles, and I don't want to pretend that we are unaffected by the goings on where you are, but I need to see our blessings as blessings, not curses. Though I may never go back and post pictures from our trip to Norway, I think I need to press the "New Post" button more often.<br />
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If you know of people who are still in need of help in their Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, please let me know. There are a bunch of expats over here who have not forgotten them and who want to help.<br />
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You are loved.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-30541016095820242222017-05-01T13:00:00.001-07:002017-05-01T13:01:51.694-07:00Spring Break in Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Ciao! We have been back from Rome for a week, and as I look through pictures, I smile at the thought that we are having such adventures when we thought we would never leave Southeast Texas. God has a great sense of humor. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighborhood churches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from our apartment</td></tr>
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Traveling with children is always a trip, but adding a giant toddler to the mix is bound to be exciting. The big kids are seriously rockstar travelers, and Titus fell into the groove pretty well. We stayed in our first AirBnB, which was a good experience, and we walked everywhere, at least 5 kilometers a day. We were about a four minute walk to the Pantheon or Plazza Novona, depending on which way you turned out of our neighborhood. Our favorite coffee shop was just around the corner from our apartment, and each night the children were lulled to sleep with accordion music from the restaurants below.</div>
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The view from our apartment's rooftop terrace</div>
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Rome is quite family friendly, but we were surprised that, despite the numerous plazas, fountains, and pedestrian friendly areas, there were no playgrounds or parks. Budapest has spoiled us in that regard. The children loved going into the beautiful churches which were everywhere, and their first thought after breakfast was where we would go for gelato. We tried many different gelato stores and many different flavors, but the grown-ups' favorite was one near our apartment that had chocolate tartufo, chocolate truffle ice cream with a light dusting of cocoa powder. Emma liked the gelato store that offered 150 flavors, and after trying quite a few, her favorite was KitKat. Ransom and Titus were both happy with any gelato you offered them from anywhere at any time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3Hb2EjkhscKKLPcgwGYb__eAXClRhXNLrD1ayTKwcs9B-1vqV0ZSzat4k6m6I2frvAVp1SZ-00YAssPZ76SCiUqX9NyRPKr3-VWvXylZOzElkrt1mpnTgrU0U69BbZMvu4oCkqzaUpOU/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3Hb2EjkhscKKLPcgwGYb__eAXClRhXNLrD1ayTKwcs9B-1vqV0ZSzat4k6m6I2frvAVp1SZ-00YAssPZ76SCiUqX9NyRPKr3-VWvXylZOzElkrt1mpnTgrU0U69BbZMvu4oCkqzaUpOU/s320/IMG_4305.JPG" width="240" /></a> The children's favorite part of our trip was Gladiator School. Emma and Ransom were led through a museum of the history of Roman weaponry and gladiators, and then their gladiator guide put them through gladiator basic training. They learned basic gladius and shield moves, and then the "fought" against other trainees in the "arena". They loved every minute, and it helped them have a better understanding of what went on in the Colosseum. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pantheon Oculus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark and Titus at Titus's Arch</td></tr>
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Clark and I very much enjoyed the Roman Forum and Palatino, and I loved the Pantheon. Walking around a city with standing architecture pre-dating Christ is pretty surreal. We enjoyed walking around Vatican City, and the Sistine Chapel was amazing, but it was so incredibly crowded, that we felt we didn't get to appreciate it as we would have liked (*For me, this would have been lying on the floor staring up at ceilings.). Also, Titus was done after about two hours, so we went to find more gelato. </div>
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We left Rome with sunny skies and 70 degree temps to return to a freezing, snowy Budapest (in April!). The weather here has decided to become more spring-like in the last few days which makes me a little less antsy to hop on a plane and get back to Italy. We are happy to be home, but we are looking forward to our next adventure, wherever that may be!<br />
Hugs from Budapest!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-90201469279711023382017-02-05T11:13:00.001-08:002017-02-05T11:13:16.755-08:00January in a Nutshell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, howdy! I have started several posts since the calendar changed to 2017, but with Titus being more mobile, it seems posts never make it past the draft stage. </div>
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Below are a few videos and pictures to sum up our January!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFS9kUFJbo6ENbV4OXDpKzMCgjgNcGuOIM7D_1VOPvm2QdAm_bIheDCHc6Df3xm0StzRM-YKusvK0xy7qrUjllXLWmIw2P4t-r4S9iqz64BbQnzvHXShhyphenhyphenFZuayJfoupxVK8xBZVqVupb/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFS9kUFJbo6ENbV4OXDpKzMCgjgNcGuOIM7D_1VOPvm2QdAm_bIheDCHc6Df3xm0StzRM-YKusvK0xy7qrUjllXLWmIw2P4t-r4S9iqz64BbQnzvHXShhyphenhyphenFZuayJfoupxVK8xBZVqVupb/s320/IMG_2134.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titus and Clark figuring out snow for the first time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Titus sledding in our backyard</td></tr>
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SNOW!!!! And SO much of it! We have had a white blanket on the ground for weeks, but it has just begun to melt. The temperatures dropped into single digits (in Fahrenheit!) at times, but usually fluttered slightly under freezing. Last Thursday the sun appeared and began to warm things up a bit. Clark and I were both surprised by how much we enjoyed a real winter. We have been warned that it is not quite over yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy walks in the nature preserve in our neighborhood</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzalAAjLZv9qMKtbJI88FnBMsIHlc7GkMuYIOLj5sZXmjuTofa2dYS05GTPAcG45YtmnUJIbW6zA5toS8aWpMSBiT1Shpi3lc0BOTtY1w18Kc8JOHss-Ur50A3t4QVX-yJ0NBDzmVj8-f/s1600/IMG_2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzalAAjLZv9qMKtbJI88FnBMsIHlc7GkMuYIOLj5sZXmjuTofa2dYS05GTPAcG45YtmnUJIbW6zA5toS8aWpMSBiT1Shpi3lc0BOTtY1w18Kc8JOHss-Ur50A3t4QVX-yJ0NBDzmVj8-f/s400/IMG_2416.JPG" width="300" /></a>Clark and I went to our first Burns' Supper in honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns. It was such a fun night filled with kilts, bagpipes, Scottish music, dancing, Gaelic poetry reading, and food. Clark and I got all dressed up for an evening on the town, and the only picture I took was of my plate of mostly eaten haggis. I pretended the haggis was boudain, and I was able to eat it with little reservation. It was actually quite tasty!</div>
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I went on to the Burns Foundation Facebook page and found this picture of Clark and me dancing! I wore a blue skirt, not even thinking about it being the color of the Scottish flag!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Av3n14PTAysir39I_rPS_CZrVZMz69Dbvw5iQgYI-lxgwivYwMlRInNbTK6dvwXCSs7ZMPHiyclIgtk0alPUu1O6NVPL5m4cu2CnliMx0-qJAF-ZexbMRr631NCjPYMlEUdGRNx3ex2W/s1600/16266127_1111420942314202_8103182995547047818_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Av3n14PTAysir39I_rPS_CZrVZMz69Dbvw5iQgYI-lxgwivYwMlRInNbTK6dvwXCSs7ZMPHiyclIgtk0alPUu1O6NVPL5m4cu2CnliMx0-qJAF-ZexbMRr631NCjPYMlEUdGRNx3ex2W/s640/16266127_1111420942314202_8103182995547047818_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark leading me in a Scottish fold dance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Corinthia Hotel Ballroom</td></tr>
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For the past two weeks, we had been battling illness at our house. The children sweetly shared a virus amongst themselves, and with the addition of ice and impassable roads, we were stuck at home for a while. Last weekend we escaped the confines of home and ventured to City Park (Varosliget). We didn't make it in time for ice skating on the pond, but we found a delightful cafe where we could watch the Zamboni clear the ice while sitting in warmth. We enjoyed a delicious Hungarian lunch of chicken paprika and goulash followed by sour cherry strudel and cappuccinos. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-edI2YDvYjpcdsSSy5_H4oFAYoaW13sLCmaENUbSrXw-8NEXxVdgpW3XIFoi9gKkC6dHQkp6u5WHVvGCNcpRY-8oRY-Y7zsqV2ikjsqX7Bf0HdtSBr6sLeum-AsXbMjtb_BEXd_dHHoQv/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-edI2YDvYjpcdsSSy5_H4oFAYoaW13sLCmaENUbSrXw-8NEXxVdgpW3XIFoi9gKkC6dHQkp6u5WHVvGCNcpRY-8oRY-Y7zsqV2ikjsqX7Bf0HdtSBr6sLeum-AsXbMjtb_BEXd_dHHoQv/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu6yffkewekgFaGp6JqgySNLNCa-4HLXo9jK2vpE_gvc7UC5xYs_COIllXVckxAvqov7SOT_V5Hg1xJ739SfRgNiaMPCE0ZEIldOB_ju_qBHk9hnJDZ-zgDu8PLbOQRppQRyCCjkHNgpX/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvu6yffkewekgFaGp6JqgySNLNCa-4HLXo9jK2vpE_gvc7UC5xYs_COIllXVckxAvqov7SOT_V5Hg1xJ739SfRgNiaMPCE0ZEIldOB_ju_qBHk9hnJDZ-zgDu8PLbOQRppQRyCCjkHNgpX/s320/IMG_2524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wO0JASjj2KgJuysbDDm2r1TUifaw_DXXCEpJ6fLCxbuVueNW6bw8lwKnS7pDXqBjzwVfF8lAcBq6B6XfN6ddoYjX0yshSwu84b9A43vrtXid6urgLje4vEdSMOJgXs9nWfTWNnPDOs8g/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wO0JASjj2KgJuysbDDm2r1TUifaw_DXXCEpJ6fLCxbuVueNW6bw8lwKnS7pDXqBjzwVfF8lAcBq6B6XfN6ddoYjX0yshSwu84b9A43vrtXid6urgLje4vEdSMOJgXs9nWfTWNnPDOs8g/s320/IMG_2530.JPG" width="320" /></a>After our lunch, we walked around the grounds of the Vajdahunyad Castle, a beautiful 200+ year old castle nestled in the middle of the park. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LpsGT3fUqcjiCzCqPGW-cIAj870a9GGM9xsjA-ywcacB6S6a4Q9wKUS-IsjLnx_X5lLeAjLr-4TLS97UAqf5Ct51VP9moC-Ggzo_A1cRrSGLFPlwS8R54s4aY10xyhkuUCD4DBnwcMQY/s1600/IMG_2534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LpsGT3fUqcjiCzCqPGW-cIAj870a9GGM9xsjA-ywcacB6S6a4Q9wKUS-IsjLnx_X5lLeAjLr-4TLS97UAqf5Ct51VP9moC-Ggzo_A1cRrSGLFPlwS8R54s4aY10xyhkuUCD4DBnwcMQY/s320/IMG_2534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Though it was gorgeous, we began to get quite cold. The Szechenyi Baths were just across the street, but Clark and I weren't sure about taking all three kids for our first thermal bath experience. We hopped on the subway and headed home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCrqyeqwNgf_c8prSfcbgedr_lUxXQ4I-WhPUrjuL_wPsYK1LpQ1l4TnyEwY63PnAaA_5vemw-bmh-IxoQSnOVHEvNreYg_3zmwKPpwH7cnbj6xTrqu962k27euFEt4nY_3ucK0SYRcZW/s1600/IMG_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCrqyeqwNgf_c8prSfcbgedr_lUxXQ4I-WhPUrjuL_wPsYK1LpQ1l4TnyEwY63PnAaA_5vemw-bmh-IxoQSnOVHEvNreYg_3zmwKPpwH7cnbj6xTrqu962k27euFEt4nY_3ucK0SYRcZW/s320/IMG_2296.JPG" width="320" /></a>We have enjoyed Budapest during its coldest weather since 1985. Snowpants, snowboots, and heavy coats have been fun additions to our wardrobes. We know we are adapting to life here when we think 30 degrees F is warm. </div>
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Enjoy your days wherever you are, and know that we send love and blessings from Budapest! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-52612991860784678872016-11-18T01:14:00.004-08:002016-11-18T01:35:10.798-08:00World Adoption Day<br />
November is National Adoption Month, and World Adoption Day was this past Wednesday. In celebration of our sweet boy, I made a little slide show. Adoption is an incredible thing. We are so privileged to get to love Titus.<br />
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<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4e4451324f446b354d7a413d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=smileboxdrt" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4e4451324f446b354d7a413d0d0a.jpg" height="330" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smileboxdrt&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" height="46" style="border: medium none;" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows.html?campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=smileboxdrt" target="_blank">Digital slideshow</a> created with Smilebox</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-83206400123351228682016-10-24T11:41:00.002-07:002016-10-24T11:45:41.402-07:00Catch Us if You Can! Howdy from the multi-colored hills of Buda!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s1600/DSCN1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s320/DSCN1440.JPG" width="320" /></a> The leaves have all changed gorgeous hues of gold, red, and orange, and the evergreens are standing tall as the air turns cooler. The sun has been hiding more often than not, but on days it appears, we make good use of our time outdoors. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome Husband and Titus surveying the land </td></tr>
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This past Saturday we soaked up every ounce of sunshine we could by adventuring to a castle in a neighboring village and a lookout on top of the hill we view from our living room. It was a wonderful day full of sight-seeing and laughter. The big kids are getting really good at hiking. Clark is still feeling the burn from carrying Titus on his back the whole day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s1600/DSCN1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s400/DSCN1436.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Ransom bundled up and looking at the village below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started our day at Solyamari Var (Solyamar Castle). It is the ruins of a castle originally built around 1355. For 1000 HUF (About $4 USD) we got to walk around the remains of the turrets, water tower, and imagine what it would have been like for knights to walk along the high walls. The views were lovely, and it was a nice start to our morning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9jPDHs2ypnNHZlC5stf-Mp7TiZCOmXUD6x6uta7s4WfFNhOTLdx5zqImHWu7oc8KWMsp0lAPrV_2tAMJwSVlSrlX0UXxenkT6__L_qDBPoYH20hPdbKzjM-zqP-4Zp3RUmxhinAgBGSa/s1600/DSCN1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9jPDHs2ypnNHZlC5stf-Mp7TiZCOmXUD6x6uta7s4WfFNhOTLdx5zqImHWu7oc8KWMsp0lAPrV_2tAMJwSVlSrlX0UXxenkT6__L_qDBPoYH20hPdbKzjM-zqP-4Zp3RUmxhinAgBGSa/s640/DSCN1470.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next we drove down the road and parked at the base of a hill across from our house. We followed the steep and slightly rocky path up to what we know as the Pagoda. It is a lookout on the top of the hill, and from it you can see the Danube River, Pest, and Buda. We were even able to zoom in with the camera and find our house.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rguJAC9yYRCdjSA2SziXQMz4Y2LApp97hOWe9L1FjK6mBfZP2FUTyQ_AwtPFXOysifa56gwwNZ9kwT1zeIzUdm_fAI-pbCiNXP9H4EHu9fvh8Es7P_mFnv4dftAfQ5iotkClCxkUdrn/s1600/DSCN1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rguJAC9yYRCdjSA2SziXQMz4Y2LApp97hOWe9L1FjK6mBfZP2FUTyQ_AwtPFXOysifa56gwwNZ9kwT1zeIzUdm_fAI-pbCiNXP9H4EHu9fvh8Es7P_mFnv4dftAfQ5iotkClCxkUdrn/s320/DSCN1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house from the lookout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyZPiOuZEtBUeU91pMwPbOZory6h_FFilp7tl6RJnQUtPnR2U5AIar3ruvolyxArMWiLngHGB9qz9-RQg8wtB4Vt30QKBzs7pH01KRR4qjA0oyT979fI1achwtv6yHyDc-pf2xoFLQHuh/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyZPiOuZEtBUeU91pMwPbOZory6h_FFilp7tl6RJnQUtPnR2U5AIar3ruvolyxArMWiLngHGB9qz9-RQg8wtB4Vt30QKBzs7pH01KRR4qjA0oyT979fI1achwtv6yHyDc-pf2xoFLQHuh/s320/DSCN1487.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty church on the hill surrounded by autumn color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EWlciRdRatIezsjAHtyv-fD3Fspo4XBK5TKFF6iSBBBjo369ghRXh2WbLn1fCiHSDadnJ4YY0fcV_62g6FO7-Dh5LjFkNkT24hgU9t2SybGyTt2rfBxejB5AJeDPxFdnRL_-U2VqBvjt/s1600/DSCN1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EWlciRdRatIezsjAHtyv-fD3Fspo4XBK5TKFF6iSBBBjo369ghRXh2WbLn1fCiHSDadnJ4YY0fcV_62g6FO7-Dh5LjFkNkT24hgU9t2SybGyTt2rfBxejB5AJeDPxFdnRL_-U2VqBvjt/s320/DSCN1490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People Parasailing off the hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We followed our hikes with a lunch of hamburgers and fries from Sunny Diner. It is a cute burger joint with "American" food and VH1 90s countdown on the TV. I think we have gone back because Clark and I like the music so much. I still haven't found a hamburger I would say was good, but if you close your eyes and pretend you're at Whataburger... No. It still isn't. But when the scenery is as great as what we get to enjoy, I really don't feel like there is much reason to complain.<br />
<br />
The kids are doing really well. Emma is loving 2nd grade and is making some really good friends. Ransom enjoys kindergarten, but he really doesn't see the need to go EVERY day. Titus is weighing in at a solid 29 pounds, wearing 18 month clothes and always smiling (except when you put him in his carseat). Clark and I are enjoying this season of lots of time together, and we are grateful for your prayers and love from around the globe.<br />
<br />
We will try to keep you posted as our time in Budapest flies by! Hugs and blessings!<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-21146291637015469952016-10-24T11:41:00.001-07:002016-10-24T11:45:16.721-07:00Catch Us if You Can! Howdy from the multi-colored hills of Buda!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s1600/DSCN1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s320/DSCN1440.JPG" width="320" /></a> The leaves have all changed gorgeous hues of gold, red, and orange, and the evergreens are standing tall as the air turns cooler. The sun has been hiding more often than not, but on days it appears, we make good use of our time outdoors. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGh43pUd0M4kufF6X5MYygFldC1ti5EqD-5b8PyJ2M7jPac98uomKnmns_WMWyqBnFEcmirg9BFMdnvRNcWANQfZlEOF-lE021v_leREbSwboGVWpfQtXByoFGe10EqtZbFbozJomlATa/s1600/DSCN1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGh43pUd0M4kufF6X5MYygFldC1ti5EqD-5b8PyJ2M7jPac98uomKnmns_WMWyqBnFEcmirg9BFMdnvRNcWANQfZlEOF-lE021v_leREbSwboGVWpfQtXByoFGe10EqtZbFbozJomlATa/s400/DSCN1437.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome Husband and Titus surveying the land </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This past Saturday we soaked up every ounce of sunshine we could by adventuring to a castle in a neighboring village and a lookout on top of the hill we view from our living room. It was a wonderful day full of sight-seeing and laughter. The big kids are getting really good at hiking. Clark is still feeling the burn from carrying Titus on his back the whole day. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s1600/DSCN1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s400/DSCN1436.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Ransom bundled up and looking at the village below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started our day at Solyamari Var (Solyamar Castle). It is the ruins of a castle originally built around 1355. For 1000 HUF (About $4 USD) we got to walk around the remains of the turrets, water tower, and imagine what it would have been like for knights to walk along the high walls. The views were lovely, and it was a nice start to our morning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9jPDHs2ypnNHZlC5stf-Mp7TiZCOmXUD6x6uta7s4WfFNhOTLdx5zqImHWu7oc8KWMsp0lAPrV_2tAMJwSVlSrlX0UXxenkT6__L_qDBPoYH20hPdbKzjM-zqP-4Zp3RUmxhinAgBGSa/s1600/DSCN1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9jPDHs2ypnNHZlC5stf-Mp7TiZCOmXUD6x6uta7s4WfFNhOTLdx5zqImHWu7oc8KWMsp0lAPrV_2tAMJwSVlSrlX0UXxenkT6__L_qDBPoYH20hPdbKzjM-zqP-4Zp3RUmxhinAgBGSa/s640/DSCN1470.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next we drove down the road and parked at the base of a hill across from our house. We followed the steep and slightly rocky path up to what we know as the Pagoda. It is a lookout on the top of the hill, and from it you can see the Danube River, Pest, and Buda. We were even able to zoom in with the camera and find our house.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rguJAC9yYRCdjSA2SziXQMz4Y2LApp97hOWe9L1FjK6mBfZP2FUTyQ_AwtPFXOysifa56gwwNZ9kwT1zeIzUdm_fAI-pbCiNXP9H4EHu9fvh8Es7P_mFnv4dftAfQ5iotkClCxkUdrn/s1600/DSCN1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0rguJAC9yYRCdjSA2SziXQMz4Y2LApp97hOWe9L1FjK6mBfZP2FUTyQ_AwtPFXOysifa56gwwNZ9kwT1zeIzUdm_fAI-pbCiNXP9H4EHu9fvh8Es7P_mFnv4dftAfQ5iotkClCxkUdrn/s320/DSCN1475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house from the lookout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyZPiOuZEtBUeU91pMwPbOZory6h_FFilp7tl6RJnQUtPnR2U5AIar3ruvolyxArMWiLngHGB9qz9-RQg8wtB4Vt30QKBzs7pH01KRR4qjA0oyT979fI1achwtv6yHyDc-pf2xoFLQHuh/s1600/DSCN1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyZPiOuZEtBUeU91pMwPbOZory6h_FFilp7tl6RJnQUtPnR2U5AIar3ruvolyxArMWiLngHGB9qz9-RQg8wtB4Vt30QKBzs7pH01KRR4qjA0oyT979fI1achwtv6yHyDc-pf2xoFLQHuh/s320/DSCN1487.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty church on the hill surrounded by autumn color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EWlciRdRatIezsjAHtyv-fD3Fspo4XBK5TKFF6iSBBBjo369ghRXh2WbLn1fCiHSDadnJ4YY0fcV_62g6FO7-Dh5LjFkNkT24hgU9t2SybGyTt2rfBxejB5AJeDPxFdnRL_-U2VqBvjt/s1600/DSCN1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EWlciRdRatIezsjAHtyv-fD3Fspo4XBK5TKFF6iSBBBjo369ghRXh2WbLn1fCiHSDadnJ4YY0fcV_62g6FO7-Dh5LjFkNkT24hgU9t2SybGyTt2rfBxejB5AJeDPxFdnRL_-U2VqBvjt/s320/DSCN1490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People Parasailing off the hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We followed our hikes with a lunch of hamburgers and fries from Sunny Diner. It is a cute burger joint with "American" food and VH1 90s countdown on the TV. I think we have gone back because Clark and I like the music so much. I still haven't found a hamburger I would say was good, but if you close your eyes and pretend you're at Whataburger... No. It still isn't. But when the scenery is as great as what we get to enjoy, I really don't feel like there is much reason to complain.<br />
<br />
The kids are doing really well. Emma is loving 2nd grade and is making some really good friends. Ransom enjoys kindergarten, but he really doesn't see the need to go EVERY day. Titus is weighing in at a solid 29 pounds, wearing 18 month clothes and always smiling (except when you put him in his carseat). Clark and I are enjoying this season of lots of time together, and we are grateful for your prayers and love from around the globe.<br />
<br />
We will try to keep you posted as our time in Budapest flies by! Hugs and blessings!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-61854418930220522162016-10-24T11:41:00.000-07:002016-10-24T11:44:17.575-07:00Catch Us if You Can! Howdy from the multi-colored hills of Buda!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s1600/DSCN1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD6_IcLdZiE62A66jf7AwBhZTlKoHmjoWaQkQJ7GkCfh94ZUlJ0ovonYWajc971eNgzcPCH4Y7cYgQ5LnJAl7j1zTa9Uf8jnvYqMYu1AivH7ccID5pAdHljTrrmiG7k5Aegi53pATff0Q/s320/DSCN1440.JPG" width="320" /></a> The leaves have all changed gorgeous hues of gold, red, and orange, and the evergreens are standing tall as the air turns cooler. The sun has been hiding more often than not, but on days it appears, we make good use of our time outdoors. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGh43pUd0M4kufF6X5MYygFldC1ti5EqD-5b8PyJ2M7jPac98uomKnmns_WMWyqBnFEcmirg9BFMdnvRNcWANQfZlEOF-lE021v_leREbSwboGVWpfQtXByoFGe10EqtZbFbozJomlATa/s1600/DSCN1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGh43pUd0M4kufF6X5MYygFldC1ti5EqD-5b8PyJ2M7jPac98uomKnmns_WMWyqBnFEcmirg9BFMdnvRNcWANQfZlEOF-lE021v_leREbSwboGVWpfQtXByoFGe10EqtZbFbozJomlATa/s400/DSCN1437.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome Husband and Titus surveying the land </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This past Saturday we soaked up every ounce of sunshine we could by adventuring to a castle in a neighboring village and a lookout on top of the hill we view from our living room. It was a wonderful day full of sight-seeing and laughter. The big kids are getting really good at hiking. Clark is still feeling the burn from carrying Titus on his back the whole day. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s1600/DSCN1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhiRruQ4k_cmNa4wC2spjO-fGAsmcp8gvZwkSjeeL3_MDvL3VcnQfAIRX-0XCThLG7LJnW_mjHTTSsgQGHFIlUM7_7Fm5Dpc9oyS7R_LTK3KLokFyei68dgoI_4aLb7YVUS-7uqn-gWLp/s400/DSCN1436.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma and Ransom bundled up and looking at the village below</td></tr>
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We started our day at Solyamari Var (Solyamar Castle). It is the ruins of a castle originally built around 1355. For 1000 HUF (About $4 USD) we got to walk around the remains of the turrets, water tower, and imagine what it would have been like for knights to walk along the high walls. The views were lovely, and it was a nice start to our morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lookout</td></tr>
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Next we drove down the road and parked at the base of a hill across from our house. We followed the steep and slightly rocky path up to what we know as the Pagoda. It is a lookout on the top of the hill, and from it you can see the Danube River, Pest, and Buda. We were even able to zoom in with the camera and find our house.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house from the lookout</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty church on the hill surrounded by autumn color</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People Parasailing off the hill</td></tr>
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We followed our hikes with a lunch of hamburgers and fries from Sunny Diner. It is a cute burger joint with "American" food and VH1 90s countdown on the TV. I think we have gone back because Clark and I like the music so much. I still haven't found a hamburger I would say was good, but if you close your eyes and pretend you're at Whataburger... No. It still isn't. But when the scenery is as great as what we get to enjoy, I really don't feel like there is much reason to complain.<br />
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The kids are doing really well. Emma is loving 2nd grade and is making some really good friends. Ransom enjoys kindergarten, but he really doesn't see the need to go EVERY day. Titus is weighing in at a solid 29 pounds, wearing 18 month clothes and always smiling (except when you put him in his carseat). Clark and I are enjoying this season of lots of time together, and we are grateful for your prayers and love from around the globe.<br />
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We will try to keep you posted as our time in Budapest flies by! Hugs and blessings!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-28855608074485665542016-08-25T02:17:00.002-07:002016-08-25T02:19:05.370-07:002 out of 3 in SchoolGood morning from Hungary!<br />
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Today is a beautiful, 75 degree day in Budapest. It is also Emma Jane's 4th day of 2nd grade and Anthony Ransom's 2nd day of Kindergarten. They are attending the American International School of Budapest, which is really an international school run in the style of an American school. Emma and Ransom are in classes comprised of students from all over the world. Both children were incredibly excited to start school, and they have loved every part of it so far.</div>
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I was emotionally prepared for Emma to go back to school. I thought I was emotionally prepared for Ransom to start kindergarten. I mean, there was a time when I didn't even know if I would like that kid (see blog post <a href="http://katelynfertitta.blogspot.hu/2010/12/i-believe-it-was-my-great-grandfather.html">here</a>), but low and behold, I really, really like him, and I really, really miss him. He asked if he could walk by himself to his class on his first day, to which I replied, "Of course not". He walked into his classroom all smiles, hung his backpack in his cubby and took out his folder as though he had been doing these routines for months. I shouted a "Bye!" and "I love you!", and then he looked at me with concerned eyes, realizing this was harder on me than him. He came over to where I was and gave me a tight hug, and then ran off to play at centers. I was pretty choked up as I walked Emma to the stairs before she headed up to her classroom. As Titus and I walked out the doors, all I could think about was Handsome Ransom, age 4 sitting on top of a piece of playground equipment at the park we used to go to. They grow fast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3snGXYyS7_wzL1nBScG8k5_d6AFNr7epQzVOxWpamMcOR2Fklw0F8pNZ-fniQBl35HPpRZeuUzLFbHsfxpKYyxRKfpJMkW381EPs3rFVZtUEgSPRAbcRpSj8J31IsDFeZKOa398aNYjfd/s1600/2015-09-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3snGXYyS7_wzL1nBScG8k5_d6AFNr7epQzVOxWpamMcOR2Fklw0F8pNZ-fniQBl35HPpRZeuUzLFbHsfxpKYyxRKfpJMkW381EPs3rFVZtUEgSPRAbcRpSj8J31IsDFeZKOa398aNYjfd/s400/2015-09-14.jpg" width="224" /></a>Even the second kid.</div>
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And every goodbye is hard. </div>
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While driving around the city, I have been thinking about things I should blog about. </div>
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Here are a few random observations.</div>
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<li>Lots and lots of people here smoke cigarettes. It's just what they do. They may walk everywhere and eat healthy, but they also smoke. Emma and Ransom made a game out of counting cigarette butts. I think Ransom decided to just round up to 9,874 billion.</li>
<li>Most people here have some form of a tattoo somewhere on their bodies, and there are many people with body piercings. The tattoos are usually colorful and in obvious places. It seems they do not worry about being disqualified from a job based on body art as would be a consideration (whether right or wrong) in America. </li>
<li>The average age of women having children (first babies) is well over 30. The pregnant women I have seen at the doctor's office were in their mid-forties. I am considered quite young to have as many children as I have, especially a 7 year old. </li>
<li>Public transportation (bus, tram, subway) and walking is considered the norm. Upper middle-class people take the bus to work. The people here think Americans are crazy for the amount of time we spend in the car. I have developed a love for the tram. For about $10 a month, I can have someone drive me all around town all I want while I read, sleep, or make eye-contact with my children. </li>
<li>European butter is amazing. </li>
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I think I'm going to go have some bread and butter now. </div>
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HUGS!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-92044963446929873032016-08-12T09:06:00.002-07:002016-08-12T09:06:52.950-07:00Things we Take for Granted in the States...<br />
It is important to me that my blog present you with an honest look at our adventures. Yesterday, I sincerely meant everything I said about how amazingly well we are doing. However, there are still hard moments... hard days... and the longing for comforts of what I know. A friend and I were messaging one another about the therapeutic benefits of cookie dough, and while I made a really good batch last week, I had to make my own brown sugar and I didn't have my Kitchenaid mixer. <br />
Perspective is a crucial part of our experience here. Clark and I know we are where God has us for a purpose, and the things that seem hard are usually fairly small in the big scheme of things. I did begin thinking up a list of things we take for granted, Americans especially. <br />
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Drying clothes in an American clothes dryer<br />
Our dryer does not have a vent to the outside. It spins the water out of the clothes and into a reservoir that you have to empty after each load. There are two lint filters which also require emptying after each load. Each small load requires at least 2 hours to dry, usually 4, though. We will be getting a clothes line soon.<br />
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Street signs with the names of streets<br />
The names of streets are written on the corner of the last building of the street. If you are walking, this is fine, but when you are driving, this makes things a little tricky. Apparently Google Maps and other navigation helps are aware of this, because they don't even bother to tell you the names of streets on which to turn. They say silly things like, "Sharp left in 200 meters" or "Slight right in 1.7 km". <br />
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Good coffee<br />
I've heard people brag about Turkish coffee. We have yet to find some that does not taste like shoe leather.<br />
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Not sweet cereal<br />
Apparently the Hungarian people like to start their day with dessert. I am a huge fan of their pastries, particularly the sour cherry pies or alma lavalas (apple turnovers), but we are all craving some plain Cheerios.<br />
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Computers that come with Windows OS.<br />
That was fun. Especially since it was in Hungarian.<br />
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Accessibility to Over-the-Counter Medication<br />
All medications must be purchased at pharmacies, prescription or not, and not all "over-the-counter" medications are available without a prescription. <br />
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Free public restrooms<br />
Better keep some coins in your pocket!<br />
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Central Air Conditioning or Air Conditioned Public Spaces<br />
Sometimes stores have air at the front when you first walk in, but as you continue shopping toward the back of the store, you notice the air is a little warmer... and heavier... Our house has AC in the family room and in each of the bedrooms. Each one has a remote control and the ability to set the temperature and the fan speed, but if it is on, it is always on and blowing air. There is no such thing as reaching a comfortable temperature. People think we are crazy for even running our AC. Ever. <br />
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Every now and then I may sneak in a few more things, kind of like Jimmy Fallon's "Thank You Letters", but for now, I'm going to go restart the dryer and then play with my kids. <br />
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Much Love,<br />
Katelyn<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-79881620957762045632016-08-11T01:21:00.001-07:002016-08-11T01:21:17.829-07:00One Month in Budapest! Szia from the "Pearl of the Danube"!<br />
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Please forgive us for the radio-silence this past month, but we have enjoyed the time to settle in and explore our new homeland.<br />
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Budapest is an absolutely beautiful city. It has history and architecture as well as glorious views. The current temperature is 65 degrees F, and as I sit and type, my view is of the pear tree in my yard and past that the beautiful Buda hills. Clark and I have to regularly remind ourselves we get to live here, that we aren't just on vacation for a few weeks. It is completely surreal.<br />
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Overall, we are all doing remarkably well. The kids adjusted quickly to the time difference, and they are loving the relaxed pace of life in Europe. Clark is doing well at his new job, learning the language quickly and serving as our tour guide for parts of the city. I am enjoying figuring out cooking and daily life in an unfamiliar place, made better by the gorgeous scenery and climate. We all think our two year assignment may go by too quickly.<br />
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We began our adventure in an apartment in the bustling heart of Pest. This was an interesting way to be thrust into European culture, but as Clark and I have always been attracted to life in the city, we enjoyed our time there. We walked everywhere, ate at fun restaurants, and played in city parks. Our apartment was directly on top of restaurants and karaoke bars, and though it put a damper on our open windows at night, it was fun to hear the lively music and laughter in the evenings.<br />
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From there we moved into our house in the woods, still in Budapest, but now on the Buda side of the Danube River. Pest is known to be flat as a pancake and very metropolitan while Buda is hilly and more peaceful. Our house is on what was once a massive estate, set back about 60 meters from the peaceful road which faces woods and a nature preserve. Our pants are fitting a little loser as our house has three stories-- garage/basement, "ground floor", and "1st floor". We have a great view of the hills from our den, and the tram is about an 8 minute walk from our gate. Clark did a FABULOUS job finding us this house.<br />
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Things that have been tricky mostly revolve around the language and our expectation that things be done quickly. In regard to the language, many younger people know some English, but many things are still lost in translation. I have not met an English speaker at the grocery store yet, and they usually assume I speak Hungarian, so I do a lot of nodding and smiling. Most older women come up and touch Titus's thighs, and say something with a smile on their face. I hope they are saying something like "Wow, he sure is sturdy," or something like that. Regarding timely expectations, we joke that when a person from Hungary tells you something will take 5 minutes, they really mean 30. Everything takes a liiiiitttlllle biiiitttt looooonnnger here. If you plan to quickly drop off some paperwork at the school, think again. You will be invited in to sit and have a glass of viz (water) and chat about random things for at least an hour. I have come to realize that culturally, Americans are a very hurried people, and in our rush to get things done, we have lost much of our hospitality. The Hungarians I have met are incredibly hospitable, and they regularly put people before tasks.<br />
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I look forward to posting more and giving you all a glimpse into our lives in Budapest! We have room for guests, so come visit!<br />
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Much Love,<br />
Katelyn, Clark, Emma, Ransom, and Titus<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-3497253092645009662016-06-26T20:46:00.001-07:002016-06-26T20:46:36.777-07:00Hungary, Hungary Fertittas! Hello, all!<br />
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In case you have not heard, our family of five is moving to Budapest, Hungary. Clark received an expat assignment from ExxonMobil, and we are excited to join him in this adventure. Clark has been in Budapest for 20 days (!) on his own, and the kids and I are eager to be with him, whether that be in Texas or Hungary! This post will just be a list of the important points to catch everyone up to date. Future posts will be about our excursions and experiences in a foreign country! Y'all come visit!<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpibaskfx2VDOL67PnF6tXigY5XWnNHBJBI9IlcRpdBZmeFCXfEcC1DzSm55OhXCJ3Q2zTJFC9u__hVb7O8zL8Ly12RYKW61s3FDyYxXivWbuJSitR3OM_-IdjWRtWCF9ajlIYXoCfrk5q/s1600/2016-06-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpibaskfx2VDOL67PnF6tXigY5XWnNHBJBI9IlcRpdBZmeFCXfEcC1DzSm55OhXCJ3Q2zTJFC9u__hVb7O8zL8Ly12RYKW61s3FDyYxXivWbuJSitR3OM_-IdjWRtWCF9ajlIYXoCfrk5q/s400/2016-06-11.jpg" width="300" /></a>
<li>The judge granted our petition to finalize Titus's adoption early! He will officially be Titus Frederick Fertitta THIS FRIDAY, July 1st, 2016! Expect your Facebook newsfeed to be blown up with cuteness.<br /></li>
<li>Our house sold after 4 days on the market! Hooray!<br /></li>
<li>The movers come tomorrow. TOMORROW. In the morning they will begin packing (read wrapping plastic Barbie accessories in 20 sheets of heavy brown paper) and sorting our shipments. We get suitcases plus carry-ons for each of us, 70 cubic feet of air shipment to arrive 3-4 weeks after it's sent, and 2 containers shipped by sea to arrive about 2 months after departure. We also get climate controlled storage for all of our American items which won't be of much use to us in Hungary.<br /></li>
<li>Clark found us a house! We will be leasing an unfurnished house in Budapest. It is about as big as our current house, so we will buy a few pieces of furniture when we get there to have some things until our sea shipment arrives.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcy9T3oHx1-kjjki_jd0C4gFVL2bxDgKtHlp585uz5T98SqpgbgIicmO8npl9TLMd5f6ijLJOD3u_gpLhZYIF4fTDri2iR_Z9VzZSwu1pqn74qE90vzaYZCxyNLixeYzcBpLNZ04EKYV9/s1600/kitchen+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcy9T3oHx1-kjjki_jd0C4gFVL2bxDgKtHlp585uz5T98SqpgbgIicmO8npl9TLMd5f6ijLJOD3u_gpLhZYIF4fTDri2iR_Z9VzZSwu1pqn74qE90vzaYZCxyNLixeYzcBpLNZ04EKYV9/s640/kitchen+window.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view out my kitchen window</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK-GJ8CqI_XS7oAgTYPPFVCI4XwUjwXo0sXnwb8LHWdEh95SC3BSKCRKS5FSaek17R9fzMubVmGkPfzscRNVeZJ6TxIEwfUnlnRM0zMRku4MBa-1wFwZThnUbZz5P1pMQgVxfgHwG_H-E/s1600/2016-06-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK-GJ8CqI_XS7oAgTYPPFVCI4XwUjwXo0sXnwb8LHWdEh95SC3BSKCRKS5FSaek17R9fzMubVmGkPfzscRNVeZJ6TxIEwfUnlnRM0zMRku4MBa-1wFwZThnUbZz5P1pMQgVxfgHwG_H-E/s640/2016-06-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our street sign</td></tr>
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<li>We fly out July 12th. Clark will be with me and the kids, and we fly at night, so hopefully it will be a peaceful flight to our new home. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg7smtAPI1rLA5EKiWl2tiijqqsE7hQhFsPKLukFRX9BBsI4h16ODP4JCquCpwksKS5Pt-xaBzhiCLVsKZfHKRuTYdIN1cM-1DoRFZ9l6paC_DeZbhgPL5N6YaGL8FvEEDoiHReKcRra2/s1600/2016-06-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg7smtAPI1rLA5EKiWl2tiijqqsE7hQhFsPKLukFRX9BBsI4h16ODP4JCquCpwksKS5Pt-xaBzhiCLVsKZfHKRuTYdIN1cM-1DoRFZ9l6paC_DeZbhgPL5N6YaGL8FvEEDoiHReKcRra2/s400/2016-06-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li>We would love visitors! We plan to do a lot of traveling around Europe while we are there, but our house has a room just for guests, so if you would like to use us as lodging, come on! I'll cook for you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We love you, and we thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we begin this exciting adventure!<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*All photo credit goes to my amazing husband.</span></i></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-87172711250949331612016-03-05T19:17:00.000-08:002016-03-05T19:26:14.801-08:00Titus Frederick Fertitta...was born Sunday, February 21st, 2016 at 4:04 PM. Birth-mom Melanie called Sunday morning at 10:00 and said she had gone to the hospital for routine blood work before her induction and the nurses told her she was in labor. Clark and I got ready as quickly as possible, loaded the kids in the car and headed to Houston. We made it to the hospital by 3:50. Melanie had just reached 10 cm and was waiting to push until I got there. I held her hand, wiped her forehead, coached her through contractions and was able to watch as our son was born. It was an incredible experience. The grief and the joy were so intertwined. My heart broke in a million pieces for Melanie as she tried not to look at the baby or to hear his cries.At the same time, I was filled with love and joy at meeting my 9 pound 8 ounce bundle of joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfJQ1ha0c1pLpoXBqRhiALZvGRbpbxo4Uo7BkvvtW_6uG49HETU-a_nI5qI5HqgZKsLjT2H1zTw1kUGGLEbZilKrgGZ6l0uEgvkZLYnR6OoMFN38k6gfjrwRicWMSHQ4YSniLbq0fAO-U/s1600/SB_1710262285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfJQ1ha0c1pLpoXBqRhiALZvGRbpbxo4Uo7BkvvtW_6uG49HETU-a_nI5qI5HqgZKsLjT2H1zTw1kUGGLEbZilKrgGZ6l0uEgvkZLYnR6OoMFN38k6gfjrwRicWMSHQ4YSniLbq0fAO-U/s320/SB_1710262285.jpg" width="320" /></a> Clark and I were moved to a Nesting Room where we were able to get to know Titus. As I gave him his first feeding, I noticed he was breathing fast. I asked the nurse to check him, and she found he was running a fever. After only thirty minutes of being together, we moved to the nursery so Titus could be observed more carefully. During this time we met the birth-father and the birth-grandmother as they came to meet the baby boy. Initially the nurses thought Titus was just experiencing difficulty transitioning which can be pretty common among baby boys, but after four hours of watching him struggle to catch his breath, Titus was moved to the NICU.<br />
The charge nurse that night was an amazing woman named Marissa who so sweetly helped me understand what all would be involved in the days ahead. We found out that Melanie had a fever as well, and so they thought Titus was just fighting off something similar. Titus was hooked to IV fluids, heart monitors and a pulse/ox monitor, and he was given a canula with a fast flow of oxygen to give his little lungs a break. It was bizarre seeing this big, healthy looking boy in a bed beside a 27 week preemie, but they were both struggling to catch their breath.<br />
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I was allowed to stay at the hospital in our Nesting Room, but it was very strange to sleep alone in a hospital bed with no baby to care for. Of course this was exactly what Melanie was doing just down the hall. I bumped into Melanie as I was leaving the NICU and she was being moved to recovery. She had heard Titus was sick, and she was very worried. I told her all that was going on, and I asked if she would want to go visit him with me in the morning. She said she would think about it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzZC5MWPXhCfwdPJLuSZ2GwgOIKzYvrOMHsALpVg9TxUAu-5sinX156cuS0GbRy_kpCHPqztXpitBjulNn9dxI1PCFYC4YQOnu3NOPn29vx-wFGs6NprP7-FNdoN6FzbYCkjoe2GdjOe9/s1600/DSCN0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzZC5MWPXhCfwdPJLuSZ2GwgOIKzYvrOMHsALpVg9TxUAu-5sinX156cuS0GbRy_kpCHPqztXpitBjulNn9dxI1PCFYC4YQOnu3NOPn29vx-wFGs6NprP7-FNdoN6FzbYCkjoe2GdjOe9/s320/DSCN0551.JPG" width="320" /></a> The next day, I saw Titus in the morning. A fabulous nurse named Michelle was caring for him that day. I went to Melanie's room to let her know how he was doing. We talked for a good while, and then she said she wanted to shower and get dressed and go see him with me. We went down to the NICU together around 10:00 Monday morning. Watching Melanie see our son for the first time was amazing and heartbreaking. I have a picture of the exact moment when she saw him. I look forward to showing it to Titus someday so he can see exactly how much his birth-mom loved him. With some encouragement from me and the nurse, Melanie sat and held Titus for about 10 minutes. It was beautiful watching her admire his tiny toes and his long fingers. She talked lovingly to him just as any mom would, but then, after Titus had fallen asleep, Melanie was ready to go. I walked with her back to her room. She told me she was so glad she had gone to see him, that she had been afraid it would be too hard, but then she realized it would have been harder to have never seen him at all. Melanie went to visit Titus in the NICU another time with me and then a few more times I noticed her name on the sign-in sheet.<br />
Tuesday was Melanie's discharge day and our placement day. This was the hardest day for me. I did not know it was possible for a person to love a practical stranger so deeply. In the month since meeting Melanie, and then spending those days with her at the hospital, God put a love for her in my heart that is bigger than anything I could have ever imagined. Our social worker met with all of us and Clark and I sat beside Melanie on her hospital bed and told her how much we loved her, how much God loved her, and how we believe God had brought us together. We gave her a gift, a necklace with the February birthstone, and then our social worker told us it was time for us to go so Melanie could sign her paperwork. I hugged Melanie then, but when I pulled away I realized this could very well be the last time I ever saw her, and I hugged her again, tightly, trying to hold back tears and communicate how much we care for her and about her welfare. We left her room and walked into the hallway, and as soon as her door was shut, I fell against Clark, sobbing. When Melanie terminated her rights that afternoon, we received a son, but when she was discharged, I felt like I had lost a daughter.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJmP7LLUYk6Z9OXvldQLA2H4pnJl05dK9hI0LP_Iwv7nAbT-yGrhFAkU1v6KF-s9hyqijYpYnoI1sNQbRrSS26kIQ-0dBSy0aHArGBN0FzEkQFZ8j92Abd2XwwhDMDvRloLC2ObSKYiu6/s1600/DSCN0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJmP7LLUYk6Z9OXvldQLA2H4pnJl05dK9hI0LP_Iwv7nAbT-yGrhFAkU1v6KF-s9hyqijYpYnoI1sNQbRrSS26kIQ-0dBSy0aHArGBN0FzEkQFZ8j92Abd2XwwhDMDvRloLC2ObSKYiu6/s320/DSCN0605.JPG" width="320" /></a> That day it seemed like Titus was getting better, but then all of a sudden, he got worse. His fever came back, his breathing became more rapid. Suddenly the doctor was saying things like Meningitis and possible malrotation of the bowel. Test results took time, and answers were slow in coming. After more days in the NICU and nights at the local Homewood Suites, Titus had a positive result on a Flu test and an inconclusive read on a barium test of his bowel. The transfer request was made by the neonatologist due to the possibility of needing surgery, and the Friday after Titus was born, he was transferred by ambulance to Children's Memorial Herman in the medcenter.<br />
Clark brought the big kids to Houston for the weekend because they are my best Prozac. We had no idea how long Titus would be in the hospital. He had an entire team of doctors and nurses working to figure out what was wrong and to treat the symptoms as best they could. Test results trickled in and antibiotics were discontinued. The consensus eventually became Titus had the flu, and other than that, he was a strong, healthy, and really <i><u>good</u></i> baby. Clark and the kids left Sunday afternoon, and I went back to the NICU to hold my other baby.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeJCacNZK9SeOttzDfNZnup_NiuiMWBnV9CbZ4GGX-AKQxKCG7i9ZJQaUbWBpr-qLsp_JhU1mE9-6WW8GV16vc56CIZQWkZK-FjXt2Mzd778EaaRX6Z_IoA4I4JMIzJF16Phk7xgldk0t/s1600/2016-03-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeJCacNZK9SeOttzDfNZnup_NiuiMWBnV9CbZ4GGX-AKQxKCG7i9ZJQaUbWBpr-qLsp_JhU1mE9-6WW8GV16vc56CIZQWkZK-FjXt2Mzd778EaaRX6Z_IoA4I4JMIzJF16Phk7xgldk0t/s200/2016-03-03.jpg" width="112" /></a> Monday, when I went to the Medcenter, I planned to spend the morning with Titus, be there for doctor rounds, and then head back to Kingwood where I was staying to do laundry and spend time with friends. During rounds, the doctors said the magic word: "Discharge". Discharge?! US?! My son?! WE ARE GOING HOME!!!! I had set my expectations low, thinking we could be in Houston indefinitely, but now, I was going to get to take Titus home to meet his brother and sister, to start life as a family of five. I called my dad, and he lovingly agreed to drive with me back to DFW. We reached our living room at 1:something AM, and it has never felt so good to be home. All my chicks were finally in one nest.<br />
Titus got to meet his big sister at 7:00 Monday morning. She was immediately smitten. Ransom met Titus at 8:00 AM Monday morning, and it's been difficult to get him to leave his side ever since.<br />
There were so many signs of God's faithfulness and provision that I didn't go into. Clark and I had to continually lean into the Lord, and we were provided with such peace and comfort even when things were difficult or uncertain. God has continually proven himself trustworthy and kind, and I look forward to seeing the amazing plans He has in store for Titus in the years to come.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-88504371956522035782016-02-19T07:37:00.001-08:002016-02-19T07:38:26.487-08:00In the Que (aka Still Waiting) I thought by this time I would be posting pictures of tiny baby toes and announcements of length and weight. It is a surreal thing to be ten months pregnant while someone else is carrying the baby. Titus is 6 days past his due date. At Melanie's doctor appointment yesterday, they made plans to induce either Monday or Tuesday. While it is hard for me to be patient, there is this strange end in sight. Emma asked last night, "What if Titus doesn't come until 2017?" Because Melanie is not an elephant, I expect Titus to come before then. (Poor elephants... <a href="http://tailandfur.com/20-animals-really-long-gestation-times/3/">Animals with Really Long Gestational Times</a> )<br />
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I am learning so much in all of this. I am learning to look for praises in the midst of the waiting. </div>
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<li>There were two days in February where Clark would not possibly have been able to leave work and be with me in Houston. Praise: We have passed those days! He can be there! </li>
<li>Ransom had a bad cold this past week. Praise: I got to cuddle and focus on taking care of him and I get to bring a newborn home to a healthy family!</li>
<li>My dad was here since Monday evening. Praise: He now knows well the ins and outs of our weekly routines and feels confident in being the substitute mom!</li>
<li>My house was a bit messy. Praise: Nesting happens even for adoptive moms! This is the cleanest my house has been in a long time!</li>
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One of the praises I am most thankful for is the support and encouragement we have received from friends and family. As we wait, they pray, they gain understanding regarding our adoption, they support us with love and encouragement, and they are present. </div>
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Waiting is hard, but I believe God's timing is perfect. He is using this time to add weight to Titus's tiny body, to strengthen his lungs, and to prepare us to be his family. </div>
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Please continue to pray for Melanie as she carries this sweet boy. Pray for her health, strength, and peace in the days to come. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425178825652858320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-53680823291593389132016-02-09T14:42:00.001-08:002016-02-09T14:42:28.562-08:00Waiting... In my excitement and eager anticipation of Titus's impending arrival, today I told lots of people that his due date is Friday. I lied. Titus's due date is <i><u><b>actually</b></u></i> Sautrday. I always knew it was<b> February 13th</b>; I just thought I would skip over Friday in an effort to hurry and get to Saturday! <div>
The crazy thing, as anyone who has ever been pregnant or around a pregnant person in their life knows, is that due dates don't always mean very much. We could get a call at any moment that Melanie is in labor and Titus is on his way... Or we could pass Saturday without any change, and remain in this expectant stage for who knows how much longer. Well, hopefully not very much longer, for Melanie's sake! In all of this, I am reminded that it is the Lord who determines when first breaths will be taken, and that I can trust He has his eye on Titus and Melanie in this moment. </div>
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You know how babies are measured relative to fruit during pregnancy? Titus is not a plum or a mango. Best I can figure, he is the size of a regular watermelon. He is baby-size, a tiny human waiting for his lungs to miraculously go from receiving fluid to air, his eyes soon to be met by blinding light, his ears near to hearing sounds and voices that have previously been only muffled and muted. In all the fascination and difficulty of the adoption process, I dare not miss the fact that Titus is a miracle pointing directly to the Creator. Though his birthday will be filled with many emotions, it will be a day of celebrating and praising God for allowing us this glimpse into His creative work. </div>
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"For you formed my inward parts;</div>
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you knitted me together in my mother's womb.</div>
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I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.</div>
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Wonderful are your works;</div>
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my soul knows it very well.</div>
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My frame was not hidden from you,</div>
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when I was being made in secret,</div>
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intricately woven in the depths of the earth.</div>
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Your eyes saw my unformed substance;</div>
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in your book were written, every one of them,</div>
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the days that were formed for me,</div>
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when as yet there was none of them.</div>
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How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!</div>
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How vast is the sum of them!</div>
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If I would count them, they are more than the sand.</div>
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I awake, and I am still with you."</div>
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Psalm 139:13-18</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-45143280276744503352016-01-24T15:52:00.001-08:002016-02-09T14:21:47.244-08:00Our Journey to Adoption Ten years ago, I was a first grade teacher in downtown Houston. I was at a bilingual campus, and the first grade Spanish speakers made it their job to teach me Spanish. It was my first deep exposure to the Hispanic and Latino culture, and I loved it.<br />
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Nine years ago, I began teaching second grade at a title one school in Humble. My students came from various backgrounds and levels of stability, and I loved most of them as my own. Clark began to talk about starting a family, and all I could think about was taking care of the children God had already placed in my life. I told the Lord and Clark that I didn't want to have biological children; I just wanted to adopt. </div>
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Eight years ago, I looped up with most of my class to third grade. My heart was hooked on these kids. I spent eight hours a day with them, yes, doing my job as an educator, but I felt I was fulfilling my call to ministry by loving their tiny souls. Adoption was so heavy on my heart. Clark was not there yet. We prayed for guidance and direction regarding my job and plans for our family, and through various trials that year, the Lord showed me it was time to "retire" from teaching and be a mommy. </div>
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Seven years and 1 month ago, I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl on planet Earth. I also began one of the most difficult journeys of my life as I walked through post-partum depression. I was shaped and refined through a struggle I never expected and never wanted to revisit. Clark and I in high school had joked we would have seven children someday. After Emma, four sounded like a stretch. Clark's heart began to stir toward the possibility of adoption.</div>
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Four years and nine months ago, Handsome Ransom was born, red hair and all! Man, he was a chunk of wonderfulness wrapped in rolls and dimples. And, in spite of my hopes to escape hormonal hell unscathed, I knew I was in the pit again. Clark and I had prayed and decided that if I did indeed struggle with post-partum depression, we would take that as an indicator that our family would not need to be extended biologically and adoption might be for us. </div>
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Three years ago, I went to MOPs convention and was inundated with adoption... orphans...fostering...loving those who have no family... I prayed that if the Lord wanted us to adopt, that when we got home from convention Clark would be the one to bring up the topic. I waited. Months passed. Nothing. And then one day, he asked where the most need was. And then another day he asked what agency I thought we should work with. And then in December of that year, he said, "We need to get on this. We need to remove any and all barriers that would prevent us from being available to receive a child if that's what the Lord calls us to." </div>
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Almost two years ago, we moved. And things were put on hold. </div>
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And then one year ago, God said, "No, really, get on it." And then two months ago, the Lord lit a fire under us as we looked at a 50% chance of us having a baby in two weeks. Our certification was expedited, all our home studies completed, paperwork that shouldn't have been possible fell into place, and we were suddenly waiting to receive an infant. Clark was ready and excited, and he was helping me to get excited. But then the birthmom didn't choose us. </div>
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Three weeks ago, I received a call from our social worker. She asked how we were doing and if we were still ready for a baby. I laughed and said, "The bed is waiting! We just need a birthmom!" Then she said, "I'm working with a birthmom, and she chose you." </div>
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We met our birthmom last Saturday. I would like to adopt her, too, if I could! She is lovely, precious, and sweet, and she has made the brave and selfless choice to give her baby life and a kind of security and stability she feels she could not give. We get to meet with her again this Saturday just to get to know one another a little better. </div>
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Sometime around February 13th, my son will be born. It is surreal and exciting and heartbreaking all in the same instant. We are learning how to do a dance of mourning the mother's loss and celebrating his precious life. </div>
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The journey has been long in years and great in preparation. Clark and I are thankful for your encouragement and prayers as we look forward to welcoming our son next month! </h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-8331842490539878632015-05-20T11:41:00.001-07:002015-05-20T11:41:35.761-07:00Cookie Love<h3>
Happy Belated National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! <span style="font-weight: normal;">I'm so glad that is a thing.</span></h3>
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Clark and I are trying to eat "healthier" these days. We both love baked goods, but they often lead to our over-consumption of (delicious) sugar. So, I was faced with a conundrum: honor the best cookie on planet Earth, or become a martyr for the sake of health. I decided to try to combine cookies and martyrdom, and the below recipe is what entailed.<br />
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Even if you are not eating healthfully... even if you could not care less about calorie counts or eating "real" food, please, put down the package of Chips Ahoys and make this recipe right this very instant. It is a winner of a recipe. Y'all know I make fun of people who pin those chocolate chip cookie recipes that have like... garbanzo beans in them, right? These are NOT those cookies. They are delightfully perfect bar cookies, the only weird ingredient being Quinoa flour. I apologize for the price tag on Quinoa flour, but I promise these cookies are worth it. Quinoa is this amazing super grain containing perfect proteins and very few carbs. I thought it might make the cookies too dense or give them a grainy taste, but, miracle of miracles, it didn't! They were delightful. I've had two today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark said I went a little heavy on the chocolate...<br /> Is that possible???</td></tr>
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Here is the recipe. You're welcome.<br />
<h4>
Quinoa Cookie Bars</h4>
1/4 C butter, softened<br />
3/4 C vanilla almond butter (I like Justin's)<br />
2 large eggs<br />
2/3 C packed light brown sugar<br />
1/4 C honey<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
3/4 C quinoa flour (*If you can't find quinoa flour, I read that you can also make your own by grinding raw quinoa in a coffee grinder until it is a fine powder. Raw quinoa is available in most grocery stores next to the rice.)<br />
1 teaspoon baking powder<br />
a pinch of salt<br />
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, and then coat the parchment with cooking spray.<br />
Beat the butter and almond butter in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add in eggs, one at a time, then the brown sugar, honey, and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl.<br />
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the quinoa flour, baking powder, and salt.<br />
Add a little bit of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until it is all mixed and combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.<br />
Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown (like a big, delicious, chocolate chip cookie). Let cool in the pan for 45 minutes.This is the hard part, but they have to cool in order to properly set up. If you try to take them out beforehand, they will just fall apart into a hot, delicious mess. After 45 long minutes, carefully lift the parchment to remove all the cookies out of the pan. Pour yourself a big glass of milk, cut a square, and ENJOY. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-36388309744889163572015-04-30T14:52:00.000-07:002015-04-30T14:58:13.874-07:00Help, and Thank You. "Rejoice always, <span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-ESV-29622"> pray without ceasing,</span> <span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-ESV-29623"> give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</span><br />
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<strong> I have been working on my prayer life lately.</strong> <br />
In the mornings when I get up, I have my Bible study/quiet time before waking the kids. I was thinking the other day how strange it is that I expect the Lord to speak to me through scripture, but I rarely seek His voice in prayer. If we teach our children that prayer is a conversation between us and God, shouldn't He and I talk more? And, really, shouldn't I listen? Often times my Bible study becomes an inductive book study rather than my heart yearning to hear from my Savior. So, on the days where my mind won't focus on the words I'm trying to read, I gently shut my Bible, get on my knees, and talk to Jesus. And sometimes, I actually don't talk, but I listen. <br />
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To all you non-parents, this paragraph may be a bit TMI. Ransom has been having accidents in the night. We went a solid week in boxer-briefs and whitey-tighties with no problem, and then Monday happened. It's now Thursday, and I have my bed-stripping routine down to 12 minutes total time. That's from the moment he comes and gets me to the moment my head hits the pillow and everything in-between. Last night as I was groggily walking back down the stairs, I remembered my thought on prayer when my kids were tiny babies. Sometimes the only prayers we can utter go something like, "Help, and thank You." Help, because we don't know what we need, but we need something, or we know what we want but we don't know how to get there. We need the baby to stop crying and let us sleep, we need (or want) our big boy to sleep through the night without wetting the bed, we want our daughter to be brave when facing another day at school. But sometimes all we can think is, "Help." <br />
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For whatever reason, my "Help" prayers are almost always followed by "Thank You." I'm not sure if it's because I'm well-enough acquainted with the Lord to know how He operates, and that He <em>will </em>come through in <em>His</em> perfect time, or that the Spirit has given me a heart that longs to trust my Heavenly Father, but I know it will work out, so I thank Him. I know deep in the recesses of my soul that He is good, He is all-knowing, and He is trustworthy, even if the baby keeps crying and I get 2 hours of sleep. My God never changed. He was there the whole time, and He will somehow get me through the next day. In hindsight, knowing how quickly the most physically draining years fly by, maybe it was the Spirit interceding for me with the thank you- thank You, that for a short time, I can hold and rock and comfort these tiny treasures. Thank You that You have the unknown mapped out and that you will help me get there. Thank You for the things I am yet to be thankful. <br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-17" id="en-ESV-28118"></span> </h4>
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<span class="text Rom-8-25" id="en-ESV-28126">Romans 8:26-28</span></h4>
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<span class="text Rom-8-25"></span><span class="text Rom-8-26" id="en-ESV-28127"> Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-27" id="en-ESV-28128">And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-ESV-28129"> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.</span></h4>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-39968332282888117222015-04-22T18:15:00.002-07:002015-04-22T18:15:13.501-07:00My aim and my charge"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5<br />
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Just so we can be completely upfront and honest, Clark is working late, so I put the kids to bed at 7:10, and this is about to happen. <br />
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I might fold some laundry while watching last night's Voice episode. Between bites. Nom nom nom.</div>
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When the Dallas sky is blue and the kids are playing nicely, I like to bring my current reading material to my happy lounge chair and soak it all up. I just began Lysa Terkeurst's<u> The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands.</u> It's really a bit of an ironic choice for my current season in life. I should have picked it up... oh, I don't know... a year ago... when I was rushing from meeting to meeting, Bible studying and teaching, hosting and organizing, unable to say no, but silently crying when I just wanted my baby to get the nap he needed. Yeah. Somebody should have handed me the book then. </div>
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I frequently refer to the present time in my life as a strange prolonged vacation. We are in the process of plugging in, making friends and finding our niche. Both Clark and I are serving in our church body, but not in ways that require the time or energy that we previously exerted. At first I felt completely lost. I didn't know how to not be leading and doing. My heart missed teaching. I missed baby-sitting my friend's kids while they went to dental appointments. If I'm honest, I missed feeling like people needed me. </div>
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I then began learning how to rest. Despite the initial difficulty in "be[ing] still (cease striving)" (Psalm 46:10), this resting business was starting to feel alright. Our schedule was flexible and undemanding. I had complete freedom to choose how and where the kids and I spent our time with kindergarten being the only "interference" to our whims. With very few expectations or commitments we were free to be spontaneous about hikes at the nearby state park or just enjoy lazy days at home. Ransom and I could venture to Target with complete anonymity. </div>
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In <u>The Best Yes</u>, Lysa says "A woman who lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul." (p.21) "The decisions we make dictate the schedules we keep. The schedules we keep determine the lives we live. The lives we live determine how we spend our souls." (p.23)</div>
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I feel like the Lord has let me taste both sides- overwhelmed and overscheduled as well as relaxed and free. And now I feel like He's calling me to blend rest and purpose and serve Him well. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-61826704928888201242015-04-13T18:58:00.001-07:002015-04-13T18:58:35.651-07:00Sewing Perfection For the past few months I have begun thinking about blogging again (especially around 3:00 AM when it seems a good outlet for a busy brain), and since my sweet man is out at a Ranger's game, and I'm already a week behind with The Voice, tonight seems as good a night as any to restart. <br />
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About 5 years ago, I received my grandmother's sewing box and some quilting squares which my grandmother had hand-stitched. They were brightly colored flowers, with happy yellow centers. I don't know anything about quilting, but I thought surely I could figure out something to do with these. They have sat untouched for 5 years in the metal tin in which they came. I've often opened the tin, looked at the squares, thought about piecing them together, and then closed the tin. <br />
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I think I was afraid of messing up her work. She had already measured and cut every square (my absolute least favorite part of any sewing craft), cut, and stitched every petal, and lovingly stored them until she was ready to begin her quilt. I think I feared taking her quality work and turning it into an unacceptable attempt at being crafty. <br />
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My grandmother went to be with Jesus this past Thanksgiving. I'm not sure why I decided today was the day to brave the task of working with her quilting squares, but I did. I placed the squares all neatly on the floor, and I began assembling a quilt for Emma Jane. As I set them out, I quickly realized something incredibly liberating: my grandmother's squares were not perfect squares. In fact, some of them were hardly squares at all... more like curvy rectangles. Okay, they weren't<em> that</em> bad, but when it came to pinning them together, there were obvious differences in the lengths of the sides, and for some reason, this helped me feel like I could start a quilt. Through the slight imperfections I found in my grandmother's work, I felt like perhaps I had something to bring to the table. Her imperfect work was beautiful; perhaps my attempts could be as well. <br />
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I find relief remembering my grandmother was not perfect, but she now is. I don't know why I let perfection intimidate me when I have clearly seen how the Lord has worked through my weaknesses. "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-11<br />
Here's to embracing my weaknesses one stitch at a time! <br />
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Hugs and Blessings!<br />
Katelyn<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-53864763597966313332012-08-16T19:31:00.003-07:002012-08-16T19:31:49.642-07:00Children's Study Bible There have been many days where I have thought posts in my head... many witty or thoughtful thoughts I'd like to share with others... but typing them requires two hands, and as most moms know, during my kids' rest times, I would like to use those two hands to hold a cup of coffee and put food in my mouth while staring out the window in silence. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzqImd740AxkCP49gVaixWpI_ky8rUDb8SjmXcEtfYv4XWQPqa7lWSu-QxBrUcmKtnBmf0_FOg8bjbEHmmZHB_FI3nhtSYapQJugxJ8GOmB_x4SZSXVbrjCbgz7iVWsz3WFdJSoUskR8/s1600/Summer+Pics+510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzqImd740AxkCP49gVaixWpI_ky8rUDb8SjmXcEtfYv4XWQPqa7lWSu-QxBrUcmKtnBmf0_FOg8bjbEHmmZHB_FI3nhtSYapQJugxJ8GOmB_x4SZSXVbrjCbgz7iVWsz3WFdJSoUskR8/s320/Summer+Pics+510.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
Ransom is nearly SEVENTEEN MONTHS OLD! Gee willickers! He's kind of fantastic. But something else that is fantastic is life is kinda returning to that post infancy regular routine... And I like it. <br />
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Today in the car, Emma Jane was asking me about Jesus dying on the cross. She was asking why people didn't like Jesus and why they made him die on the cross. DEEP STUFF. (You know, just our normal driving home from the farmer's market convos...) So she and I are having this wonderful discussion of why the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, why the cross would have been up on the hill where all could see, and why Jesus and the other criminals would have been used as teaching tools and demonstrations of punishment for the "wrongs" they had done. She was asking about why Jesus had to die that way, and then Ransom interjected with a loud squeal meaning, "Get me out of this carseat!". Emma quickly reached out to him and said, "Don't worry Ransom! They won't crucify you!"<br />
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And things were going so well... <br />
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At bedtime tonight, Emma, who used to have night terrors told me, "Mommy, in the Bible it says to think on other things that are lovely, and it's the same verse on my wall! So tonight I am going to think about an elephant chasing a butterfly, because that is lovely."<br />
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... But she gets it. Sorta. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCTPnXc0s05MSh1Q_AeJs45po59lMdrToIJQb45x8qpgMqkKS2gjhsSp5VSdcRXKCaSqDJjltaaoN4GehOAGJZiDmxHvYON6yfUHU0RVd3OI4LNbDVSEdNrZOSjl5poYfXlpdSm1EGSo/s1600/Summer+Pics+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCTPnXc0s05MSh1Q_AeJs45po59lMdrToIJQb45x8qpgMqkKS2gjhsSp5VSdcRXKCaSqDJjltaaoN4GehOAGJZiDmxHvYON6yfUHU0RVd3OI4LNbDVSEdNrZOSjl5poYfXlpdSm1EGSo/s320/Summer+Pics+108.JPG" width="240" /></a>Maybe the history and theology are a bit over her head... She is three. But she trusts that God loves her. That Jesus was needed to make a way to be friends with God. And at bedtime, when tempted to think about things that worry her, she can have peace that passes all understanding (like elephants chasing butterflies) and dream sweet dreams. Oh, how I wish my faith were more child-like! I have much to learn from my children. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629108716390138605.post-83452654079473671132011-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:002011-03-17T14:08:47.843-07:00Music to My [daughter's] [h]ear[t]sThis morning, Emma and I had to get out of the house kind of quick because the housecleaners came early, and I do not like being there while they work. I feel like I should be doing what they are doing. I know they are getting paid, and I am too hippo-like to scrub the shower or tub, but still...<br />ANYWAY- We headed to Starbucks (or as Emma calls it, THE Coffee Store) for my morning caffeine fix and a mish mash for Emma. Up by the register, they had the new Adele CD, which I've been meaning to purchase on Itunes. I thought, "Well, this way I can listen to it now rather than waiting until I have burned a CD or put it on my IPod..." So I bought it.<br />Emma and I headed back to the car with our vanilla soy late, 2 mish mashes, and CD. In the car, I quickly unwrapped "21", ejected "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from the changer, and inserted the gift to myself. The first song is "Rolling in the Deep", a catchy tune that Emma instantly started bobbing to. As we drove to a friend's house, she kept moving and grooving until song 2 came on.<br />She said, "Mommy, this song about Jesus?"<br />"Ummm... no, baby. This song is about a boy."<br />Quiet from the backseat...<br />"Mommy, this sad."<br />"What's sad baby?"<br />"Mommy, this song sad. Listen to Jesus music. Not sad."<br /><br />I know it was a short conversation, but in that moment, I felt like my two year old had said so much. How much of an influence does music have on our mood or our thought process? This song was in a minor key talking about broken relationships, jealousy, and hurt. My two year old couldn't understand all of the lyrics, but she could deduct from the words she caught and the tune that something wasn't right, and it led her to feel sad. The songs my little girl wanted to listen to were about Jesus.<br /><br />I put on David Crowder.<br />"Mommy, this Jesus music. Happy big Jesus music."<br />"Yes, baby. This is Jesus music."<br /><br />She danced and talked happily the rest of the car ride.<br /><br />I'm not saying I won't listen to my Adele CD, but when I do, and I will think of how it is effecting me and anyone else who can hear it, and I will be sure that I give equal playtime to some good "Big Jesus music".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967422594998339657noreply@blogger.com1