the things kids say

watching the snow fall

I was someone who didn't spend much time around little kids when I was growing up as well as into my adulthood.  It wasn't until I had my own children that I started to learn about these fascinating creatures!  It has been an amazing 4 year journey so far of learning what it is to be a mother and seeing what kids are really like!  I still remember when Zeke first started using his imagination when he played...I had been under the impression that kids could access the world of imaginative fun from the beginning, but there was an obvious change when Zeke could move beyond the concrete (as well as realizing that I had not disappeared from all existence every time I left his sight), and I was amazed to witness it.  Yes, to all those out there with experience with young children, I have had a lot to learn, and continue to learn everyday.

Now Zeke is 4 years old and showing signs of great intelligence and ability.  He surprises us everyday with some of things things he thinks about and the questions he asks.  His current interests have been about the human body (ranging from questions about the skeletal structure, major organs and, of course, basic reproductive parts:-)) as well as about science and mechanics.  We of course simplify things, but I have learned not to underestimate what he can understand and we try and give him lots of details when we answer his technical questions.  He hears the things we say and can process them and try to use them himself.  The other day he asked that he wouldn't get a "large" punishment, instead of his usual use of the adjective "big."  He hears idioms and tries to use them himself...which often comes out quite comicly!  I have been hearing stories from friends lately regarding the perspective their kids have on life after living overseas.  Zeke knows way more about electricity than anything I knew well into my adulthood, and his participation in cultural activities that are not from his "home" culture is something to behold.  He loves the tradition they have here during holidays where you offer guests a piece of candy when they first come inside your home.  He asks to do it now for every guest that comes over, particularly when he thinks he gets a piece of his own at the end of the routine!

Ethan has really taken off in the last month or two with his language.  He makes ample use of the words "come," "help," and "up" which seem to accomplish most of his needs.  He also is picking up tons of nouns and will bring something to me to either tell me what it is or to ask what it is.  The love of learning in kids is evident.  If we as adults are willing to take the time with them, they are more than willing to soak up all the knowledge that we have to offer!  My favorite thing with Ethan is how he has started using the word "yeah."  We can ask him questions and he'll either say "no" (which he is VERY familiar with) or he says a very exuberant "YEAH!!!"  It makes us laugh every time!

Suffice it to say that I love being a mommy.  It has been a journey so far that has taught me a lot about myself and about different ways of seeing things in this world.  A couple months after Ethan was born I had an experience that showed me I had gotten way to caught up in the challenges of parenthood during the early years.  I have used that experience to remind myself most days that this time is fleeting and that I need to appreciate this time while they are little.  Once I released myself from the fog of fatigue, diaper changes and mess cleanings I began to see just how special and unique this time is in the lives of my children.  I look at their little faces and realize how quickly they are changing and that how they look today will not be exactly the same tomorrow, and in the days to come.  I use all of this to remind myself to be thankful for God's many blessings, one huge one of which is my family.  I thank God everyday for the little boys he has entrusted to me as well as for the little one who is on his or her way:-)  Time and life are fleeting, don't forget to appreciate the small things along the way!

all bundled up to go play in the snow

watching the super bowl with Daddy

warning: transition ahead...

I just packed my first box.  Not a big step, but a significant one nonetheless.  For those who don’t know, we are planning to leave this summer to head back to the states for one year.  This transition comes with it a whole slew of emotions.  Many of them very mixed and even contradictive!   It’s strange to think of leaving this place that has been our home for nearly the past 4 years; the place where we have built a life, built friendships and raised our children thus far.  There is much that I will miss during our year away.

A few things I won’t miss are: the rooster that lives on our street.  Having grown up in the city I am not very familiar with the habits of these creatures.  I was under the impression that they crow at sun up.  Either the guy on my street is confused or maybe that is just a myth that they help wake you up at sunrise.  Well, the waking up part is true anyhow, usually at two or three in the morning!  And I am talking during the winter, not summer when you may see a little sliver of light much earlier than other parts of the year.  The other night his pitch matched that of my children when they call out and I thought I was needed, but nope, once again it was the rooster!  I also won’t miss the driving here.  I have ranted about that before, so I won’t do so here again.  Suffice it to say that it tests my sanctification process!  I also won’t miss the random outings of electricity.  I think American culture is so productive not just because of work ethic or necessity, but also because the tools and resources exist to get things done in an efficient manner.  These things don’t exist as much here.  I also won’t miss being so far away from family.  And I won’t miss not having my kids know their grandparents and cousins very well.  I am looking forward to everyone getting to meet Ethan (many of our family haven’t yet) as well as our newest addition.

There are, however, many things that I will miss.  For one, tile floors.  When you are at the stage in life where you have young kids who just can’t seem to keep their food on their plates or go an entire day without spilling their full cups over, then you realize that tile floors are a huge blessing.  I don’t sweat the messes because my kids are just being kids and the mess can be cleaned up.  I still don’t appreciate Ethan indicated he is finished by throwing any remaining food across the room, but at least I don’t worry about ruining carpet!   Also, how people are towards my kids here is something I will deeply miss.  Every time we leave the house my kids are loved on in very sweet and appropriate ways.  A stranger will help them into the (free!) mechanical car at the grocery store, friends will stop by just to bring them a toy car they thought they might like, students at our center will befriend them for the evening and dote on them by letting them play games on their mobile phones or eat 2/3rds of the piece of cake they bought.  I love how special my kids feel here.  I know in my own culture there are people that would like to treat more kids in this manner, but we are a busy culture, and one that has unfortunately, but necessarily needed to place heavy, firm boundaries between our kids and strangers.  I am concerned a bit that I don’t even know how to do parenting in American culture.  I will have to relearn how to do many things.  A small thing I will also miss is my shower.  It is common here to have a great big room, lined with tile, that have hot water pipes running under the floor that heat the floors.  When you get the hot water running and close the door you are surrounded by warmth.  It is a lovely experience.  I will also miss being a part of all the exciting things that are happening right now.  We have been working towards a number of goals these past few years and we are really beginning to get all the bugs out and we have a growing momentum.  It is hard to step away at a time like this.  More than all of this, we will miss the faces of those we have grown to love over these past four years.  We are grateful for technology, but skype and email just doesn’t keep you fully connected.

So I share all of this to say that in this life we have chosen there is constant transition; constant goodbyes; constantly giving things up that matter to us.  However, we are that much more grateful for One who never changes and never leaves us.  Zeke has been struggling to understand how God can be in his heart as well as mine and still be one.  I think my understanding of God’s greatness and grandness has grown even more since moving here.  He will be the one who helps grow my heart to continually let people in even if I know I will have to say goodbye to them.  It’s the life we have chosen, but it is a good and worthy one.  These next four months I will fight to focus on the here and now, and will do the same when we are stateside.  Ready or not U.S. here we come!