Our First Week

Today is Friday, well actually late Friday evening here. I am just posting a few pictures of today's visit. Then it's off to bed. We found a fantastic pizza place just around the corner from our apartment. It cost about $15 (tip included) for our family to have: two pizzas, three pepsi's, one ice cream, and two espressos. WOW! It tasted GREAT! The service was phenomenal. However - Phillip came out of the restroom with a funny look on his face. I knew without him saying anything that he found ... a turkish toilet. A turkish toilet is a hole in the floor, and ... ahem ... you squat. Funny stuff! ;)

Below is a favorite picture of mine: I snapped the picture just as Ivanna was waving to me.

I had put a bow in her hair. She kept tilting her head back and forth and the bow would flop. She was trying so hard to see it. It was cute. This is the FIRST of many bows for this girl's hair!

Look at those eyes! She always seems more alert in the evening.

We brought apple juice for both children. I have to spoon it into Ivanna's mouth. She doesn't get much this way, but at least it is a bit to wet her tongue down and give her a taste. Slowly but surely ... she'll get there.

Matthew is a champ at the cup, however there is much that does dribble out of his mouth. He loves the juice and tries to chug it down. We have to monitor him as he will choke because he tries to swallow so hard and fast.

All dressed in pink. This is the FIRST time I have seen her in pink. Here she is wearing about three layers so I eventually took her jacket and hat off and put a bow on.

We brought Matthew some legos for the evening visit.

He loves plants. Loves to shake them like crazy and watch the leaves sway.

First piggy back ride with Daddy. There will be alot of firsts coming his way.

Here we go again with the shaking trees! LOL

Okay, we are in a country that we have no clue in how to read the language, or speak the language. It makes shopping ... interesting. Cooking is even more so, when you have one frying pan, and two small pots, no oven and you just have no clue. Phillip threw chicken, potatoes, and onions into the skillet. He had no seasoning, and so warned us it may be bland - then said this dish is called: "Shut it ... and Eat it" meaning: shut yo trap and just eat. ;) HILARIOUS, and ... it was GREAT!

** To my kiddos at home**

Mommy is missing you so very much tonight. I have been thinking and praying for you all day. I was a bit discouraged when the Lord reminded me how much more our missionaries endure. They do it indefinately (for a LOOOONG time) and they do it to serve Christ. This thought convicted me. Mommy is here for a month (little over) and while that feels like FOREVER - because I miss you and I miss all the things of home - it really is a short amount of time. I think of our missionaries, and how much they must miss their families, familiar foods, faces and culture. I think of how vulnerable they must feel - and how it goes without notice or appreciation by their fellow brethren. This is when I got smote in my heart. When Mommy and Daddy get back - let's try and be a blessing to our missionaries who are serving in other countries by sending a box here and there of things that they may miss. I have a feeling that American toilet paper could be one of them. (because I miss that ... LOL) Let's turn these days of missing one another into blessings revealed by serving others. We can do this!!!

One way for you to help count down the days is to make a chain like we do at Christmas time to count down to Christmas Day. If you forget how - I will try and skype with you tomorrow and remind you.

Sending you All the love I have within me. You are all my little treasures. Can't wait to have us all together.