Week 16 April 15-21

This was week #2 of Lydia’s spring break, which means it was week #2 of keeping all three kids occupied and not fighting. Can’t say I was totally successful, but we survived. The other thing that exemplified this week was our car hunt. This week does not include a picture of the car, because we were unsuccessful. There are some situations in our life here that remind us that we don’t live in America and trying to buy a car was one of them. Jay went to the car dealership (essentially with cash in hand), picked out the car we wanted and when he went to order it, the salesman said, “Great! It will be here the end of June.” JUNE! He said there were no cars in this whole country, so that is the earliest we could buy one. Craziness!! So, we are still on the car hunt, but I think we have some pretty good leads!

Sunday. April 15. Calm before the storm. A RARE moment of everyone sitting together nicely. 🙂

Monday. April 16. Their new obsession! Spinning each other on the swing. SO THANKFUL for a swing in our backyard!

Tuesday April 17. A gift from a thoughtful husband = A quiet morning to read with coffee and a chocolate croissant.

Wednesday. April 18. Running a 5k at the gym felt good, I just need to learn some Italian so I can know what the buttons say! 🙂

Thursday. April 19. Happy 9 months Hannah! (Where is the time going?!)

Friday April 20. This weather begs us to go outside and play! We need to enjoy it before it gets to 150 degrees!

Saturday April 21. A Lemon Meringue pie with lemons off of our tree. What a luxury to have lemon trees in my yard!

Week 15. April 8-14

This week was a BIG week for our family! 1st of all, we took the kids camping overnight. We thought we would start with one night to see how everything went. 🙂 We did have a good time, but I think we are realizing that there are very real seasons to life, and maybe this season of life with 3 kids under 4 is not the time to start making camping a regular part of our routine. To be honest, I was getting pretty discouraged with myself thinking about this mom and that mom I know who would JOYFULLY take their young kids camping for many days at a time and absolutely cherish that time. (If you are one of them, that is awesome! And I want to be you when I grow up! :)) But then I had a gentle reminder from the Lord that I am exactly who HE wants me to be, in the exact season HE has called me to be in. So, while I am thankful for the great time we had camping, I’ve pretty much decided that in this season of life, if wherever I’m planning on going is more exhausting then just staying at home…you will probably find me in my house! 🙂 2nd big thing of the week is, we got our Residency Visa approved!!! This is HUGE! We are so thankful because we know some people who have worked on getting a visa for YEARS, so we were expecting a long process. This means 2 things: #1. We don’t have to leave the country every 3 months anymore, and #2. WE CAN BUY A CAR!!!!!!!! It’s hard to believe we have gone this long without a car, but we are thankful for the time of learning that a car is a luxury and not a necessity (here, at least).  So now…onto the week in pictures…

Sunday April 8. He is Risen!! Easter morning cinnamon rolls.

Monday April 9. Lydia's Spring Break included a family camping trip in the mountains. So beautiful and we were thankful to friends who let us use their car!

Tuesday April 10. Lydia's New Friend Rosie.

Wednesday April 11. Mommy and Lydia Couscous date. Thankful for neighbors who randomly bless us with yummy food!

Thursday April 12. Celebrating our Residency Visa with a McDonalds ice cream cone!

Friday April 13. "Baking" with mom.

Saturday April 14. Fun morning at a new play place.

 

Week 14 April 1-7

Sunday April 1. Settlers of Catan and special treats from America. (FYI. If anyone ever wants to send something, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are VERY high on the list!)

Tuesday April 3. Dyeing Easter Eggs

Wednesday April 4. Morning Baseball time with Daddy.

Thursday April 5. This year's Lambie Cake = Epic Fail.

Friday April 6. Hunger Games is here!!....but in French... 😦 SO Sad!

Saturday April 7. Air Show!

Week 13 March 25-31

Yep, still behind. ShwiabShwia (little by little) I am getting my life together. And that includes this picture of the day thing. This week was potting training week, hence there are: #1 pictures of Cole with just underwear on and #2 not tons of pictures. There are only so many things to take pictures when you are in your house all day, chasing your naked son around, asking him if he needs to go pee. 🙂  But all in all, I think it was pretty successful.

Sunday March 25. Cole "feeding" his "children".

Monday March 26 . Hannah wants to go climbing with daddy.

Tuesday March 27. Lydia's little dress-up doll

Wednesday March 28. Afternoon popcorn party.

Thursday March 29. Playing "baseball" with Boz and a cutting board.

Friday March 30. Hannah's first time on a swing!

 

Week 12 – March 18-24

I have officially been slacking! After having guests for a couple of weeks, I have been in catch-up mode and have not felt like blogging. You will also notice gaps in the pictures each day…sorry. I refuse to feel guilty about it, and will just keep on truckin’! 🙂

I do have a picture for Sunday the 18th, but it is of the kids in the bath, and I just couldn’t put it on the blog. You can never be too careful, right?! But the kids had a blast “painting” the tub, and it was nice to have them occupied and contained for at least 20 minutes! 🙂

So now, onto Monday:

Monday March 19. Happy 8 Months Hannah!

Tuesday March 20. Learning to plant a garden with Auntie D!

Wednesday March 21. Grandpa Keith came for a visit!

Friday March 23. Friday night in home date night! It doesn't get much more American then Meatloaf and mashed potatoes!

Saturday March 24. A Special trip to the Mall!

Saturday March 24. Fun Time riding the rides at the Mall!