A Few More Random Things...

Public transportation is the way to go in a big city. It is just too crazy to drive! We will have access to a company vehicle in 6 months, but it is not something that we will use on a regular basis. The great thing about our city is that there are so many choices. We live on a pretty busy street and the bus stop is right out front. On our key rings we carry something called an "Ock Bill". You "load" credit onto it, and it acts as a pass to ride the busses, the metro and many of the water busses. When you enter the bus, you simply "ding" it on the receiver. It charges your account and tells you how much you have left. I posted a picture of the ock bill as well as a picture of one of the mini buses and larges buses. I call the mini bus the "short" bus (most of you from the south will know what I mean by that!) because that is how I feel most of the time! : )

Here are two pictures of how our house is coming along. I would love to be decorating and making it "homey", but for now we are simply getting necessary items. We are grateful for larger stores like IKEA. The cost of living is more here than home, so we need to make things stretch. Grace's room is our largest space, so we are dividing it to make a spot for school. As you can see, we have some things on the wall in this room. These are items we brought from the states to help get a jump start on a good learning environment. Our family will begin language school with a tutor in our home on the 27th of this month. We will wait until closer to September to start our "normal" homeschool. The second home picture is of our "salon" or living room. It has a more modern feel than I have ever gone with before, but we are grateful for affordable items. Thankfully, the people in this culture happen to like a firm chair/couch rather than our American big fluffy Lazy Boys...so it works out with our budget. The chairs and the sheers have a small floral pint on them.

The next pictures I think are the best thing about our flat....the VIEW. Here is a picture of the Sea and of the park across the street. I have yet to see more green in the city. We feel very blessed. In the distance you can see the outline of the islands. I have been told the view is better in the winter. I can't wait for the snow!

I have to end with a sweet picture of the kidos. They love Grandpa's DVD player and Aunt Alison's "I love Lucy" episodes. (I know that makes you proud Aunt Jan/Lollie!) I don't see how they still like to snuggle in all this heat, but they manage. You can see William laughing at Lucy...priceless!

Well, I am not sure what everyone wants to hear. Email us with your questions as well as your personal family updates. We miss everyone. AT

Which Door Do You Want To Choose?

Well, that sounds like a spiritual title, but alas this entry will not be deep. God is doing some amazing things that I will write about soon, but for now, this is just a silly update.
Our new lavatory situation is quite different than in the US. When you turn into the first room on the left down our hallway, you enter what we are now calling the decision room. It is a fairly large space considering our square footage in the flat, and yet it simply has upper storage cabinets and a newly added rug (just to make it a happier spot!). Once in this room, you have a choice - Door Number One OR Door Number Two. We'll let you choose when you come visit.....but should you choose option numero uno, you will enter a more "normal" looking western room. There is a western commode & a pedestal sink, but you will also see our unique shower/tub and our front loading, computerize, rug eating (....long story!) washing machine.

HOWEVER, should you choose door numero dos, you will see our wonderful "squatty potty". Yes, these are in most homes and almost all public restrooms. We are still trying to decide if we will have this room open for use, or use it as a cleaning storage closet. We have been told more than likely all of our guests will be comfortable in our western room....but before you send your opinion, let me ask you...Do you like to "sit" where other people have already been? HUMMM...I am finding that door number 2 can be a little more sanitary. Well, let me just say that most of the time it has been a decent public experience....I do not advise anyone to visit the restrooms on the sea shore. It is a trip down into the pit of filth that I was charged money to experience...you have to love 6 year olds!

Well, that is my potty talk for now. : ) Here is a picture of my new quiet spot. My coffee mug did not make it into the shot, but it has the same print as the chair....I love IKEA!

Click HERE to read why "Potty Talk" and a Quiet Time chair might go together...

Spending Time With HIM Each Day!

AT

William Discovered "Nate The Great"

Matt was able to get our bookcases secured to the concrete walls (we have earthquakes here), so the kids and I were able to organize our craft and school supplies. Once unpacked, William immediatly set to reading the chapter books assigned for this year. (I guess we'll need to find more for the Fall!) His favorites this week were Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Nate the Great. It looks like there are more books in each of these series, so we'll have to see if Amazon can ship overseas. For those of you that have read Nate the Great books, you'll remember that he is a detective that solves kid's mysteries; he also LOVES pancakes! There was a recipe in the back of the book for special detective pancakes. This morning for breakfast I surprised William with this special meal.

We cannot find "syrup" here (or jellies/jams) but they have wonderful preserves. We put strawberry over it....YUMMMMM! Hope you enjoy the sticky smiles!

Because of Him, AT

A few random things from our first 10 days.....

I have so much that I would love to share, but I know everyone's time is precious so I'll just write about a few random things... First of all, thank you for the many prayers. Our travels were wonderful. The airline was amazing. Believe it or not, in 2009, we traveled with 14 checked bags and paid ZERO for them. They were so accomidating. It was a great experience. The kids did a wonderful job and were great helpers.

Our company team mates have been more than helpful in guiding us to get our home set up. It has been a true blessing. As you can see the kids are excited about their new rooms. William got the bunk bed he has "always wanted". Grace has a storage bed....she is VERY happy with her new things. I'll have to post more pictures of the house as we settle in, but we have been able to get basic furnite in each room and a basic kitchen set-up.



Tonight a new friend came over and taught me to make tea. This is a picture of what teapots look like here. It is like a double boiler. There is also a picture of what the tea cups look like. Grace turned 6 on Tuesday. She had a great time opening cards from the States and making cookies.

Tonight we had a party at the sea shore with a few friends. On the way there, God was truly watching over us. I did not get the car door shut tightly and when we turned the corner the door came open! I slammed it shut, but did not realize that my purse had fallen out!! Thankfully, it was right at the cornor of the street we live on and the owners of the resturant noticed. They rushed out to get it out of the street. Minutes later my cell phone called Matt. ????? A man began speaking so Matt handed the phone to our friend. Long story, but my purse was returned and everything was in order!! ONLY GOD!! TRULY AMAZING!

Again, thank you for your many prayers of protection. Over the next week we will continue to settle in and get to know our neighborhood. Then the following week we begin language school. We are excited that the kids will be learning along side us.

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Blessings, AT

Off We Go!

We leave the country tomorrow. It is hard to believe the day has finally arrived. We have had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. We are officially leaving with 13 checked bags, 1 trunk, 4 rolling carry-ons and 4 back packs. This was the best I could do in going from a 3,000 sq. ft house! Matt has worked very hard to weigh each bag. 50lbs is really not alot!! We are going to be quite a sight going through all the airports.
The kids are excited, nervous, sad, etc. etc. I guess the same run of emotions are true for Matt & I.
We are so thankful to all of you that are standing beside us. We are truly blessed.

Please continue to email us/Facebook and send comments. You are our link to the US. Blessings to everyone!

AT

Matt's First Race

I am so proud of Matt. Despite having turned his ankle during the week, he persevered and ran the full 5K on Saturday. Friends helped him brace his ankle which helped a great deal. With his injury he thought it would take him 35-40min., but he came through at 34:15! He hopes to improve for next time and I plan to join him! Cheers for Working Hard! AT

We had a wonderful time in DC. We were able to share with people from our new country, pray with an international and help a Deaf couple from Canada. I am amazed each day at the preciousness of life!

Blessings, AT