Just a quick note. It is 8:30 am here and I wanted you all to know that Steve made it safely to Madang yesterday and will be flying home tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and support yesterday as he was traveling.
In other new's my mom has agreed to post some of the pictures on our blog. So please stay tuned for pictures from PNG!
~Becky
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Amazing Grace
Today I sit and write to all my family and friends while Gracie takes her second nap for the day. I am taking this time because Steve has left for Madang and will not return until Wednesday. I hope that I will hear from him sometime via email or phone but realistically things are not that easy here.
This morning started by getting up and making my favorite husband and favorite daughter German pancakes. This has become a stable here in PNG seeing it takes 2 cup flour, 2 eggs and some milk and a pinch of salt. Making it an inexpensive meal to make and they both love it. As we ate we waited for the guys to drive up and come pick up Steve. With each car passing I got more anxious and thought why did I agree to Steve leaving Gracie and I in a third world country without any friends or family to support us while he’s gone. I can’t believe this is happening. And then they pulled up we waved good-bye and he was gone. My heart was saddened that I was alone, that I had a huge responsibility of taking care of a one year old in this place I’m not accustomed too and that I was alone, oh ya did I say I was left alone?
After putting Gracie down for a morning nap around 10 I decided to take a shower and get ready as we did have a lunch date today, with a lovely older couple named Tom and Marilyn Kelley who have been so gracious to us while we have been her and have really taken good care of us. After showering the phone rang and a young couple our age was calling to invite us to dinner tomorrow. I had to decline explaining that Steve was gone, so instead we will have a play date tomorrow and dinner on Wednesday upon Steve’s return.
We then went for lunch and upon returning Gracie and I played on the swing and then took a walk to the store, which I had yet to do by myself. I have always gone with Steve or sent him with a list while he was in “center” (The middle of town). Walking back home the Lord was with me. I had this amazing sense of peace as if he was walking next to me, that I wasn’t alone, and that he would give me strength to carry on these 3 months while in PNG. I am so thankful for this day he has given me, and the ability to press on and grow in my relationship with my savior as well as a mother and a wife.
Please continue to keep Steve and I in your prayers as things begin to look up in our life in PNG we still will have many obstacles to overcome.
- Please pray for safety for Steve as he travels
- Please pray for our reliance to be our Father and not ourselves
- Please pray that we would be used mightily of God while here
- Please pray that God would guide our hearts to make wise decisions.
We were blessed to meet the Sisson family yesterday. They are a family that lives outside of Garoka that works with a missionary group called “To every tribe” and we had been talking with the director of the group about meeting while in PNG. This providential meeting was great because we got a chance to spend some time having them for lunch yesterday and their 3 children before traveling to Garoka and staying with them in their home. They have traveled between Ukarumpa and Garoka (About a 2 hour car drive) over 70 times in the last year and agreed that they would possibly be able to pick us up and bring us back, which would be huge answered pray to not be traveling by ourselves on the roads of PNG by ourselves. This trip should happen some time in early to mid March. Our lunch with this family was a much-needed encouragement and we were very blessed to spend time with them.
As Steve and I have discussed in the two weeks we have been here, many strangers have had us over for dinner. Who does that in the US? No one? Why is that? Why don’t we as Christians invest in others that we don’t know? Why are we the same as unbelievers? This is something the Lord has placed deeply on my heart. To reach out, out of love to those we live around and those we don’t know and show them the warmth and love of Christ through a meal. Someone having a genuine investment in me has changed my life in amazing ways and I hope to come home and have the same investment in others.
Hope that his blog isn’t too boring and that you were able to read through it and be encouraged. Please remember…
- You have a dishwasher!
- You have a clothes dryer!
- You have a car!
It’s a good day!
PS. I would like to thank Sarah Franklin as I listen to the CD she gave us before we left and enjoy tremendously as it is the only music that we have.
I would also like to congratulate Adam and Kelsey Baydo on the birth of their little girl Aubrey on 1/28/12! Such an amazing blessing and we can’t wait to see and meet her when we return home!
Again love you all
xoxo ~Becky
This morning started by getting up and making my favorite husband and favorite daughter German pancakes. This has become a stable here in PNG seeing it takes 2 cup flour, 2 eggs and some milk and a pinch of salt. Making it an inexpensive meal to make and they both love it. As we ate we waited for the guys to drive up and come pick up Steve. With each car passing I got more anxious and thought why did I agree to Steve leaving Gracie and I in a third world country without any friends or family to support us while he’s gone. I can’t believe this is happening. And then they pulled up we waved good-bye and he was gone. My heart was saddened that I was alone, that I had a huge responsibility of taking care of a one year old in this place I’m not accustomed too and that I was alone, oh ya did I say I was left alone?
After putting Gracie down for a morning nap around 10 I decided to take a shower and get ready as we did have a lunch date today, with a lovely older couple named Tom and Marilyn Kelley who have been so gracious to us while we have been her and have really taken good care of us. After showering the phone rang and a young couple our age was calling to invite us to dinner tomorrow. I had to decline explaining that Steve was gone, so instead we will have a play date tomorrow and dinner on Wednesday upon Steve’s return.
We then went for lunch and upon returning Gracie and I played on the swing and then took a walk to the store, which I had yet to do by myself. I have always gone with Steve or sent him with a list while he was in “center” (The middle of town). Walking back home the Lord was with me. I had this amazing sense of peace as if he was walking next to me, that I wasn’t alone, and that he would give me strength to carry on these 3 months while in PNG. I am so thankful for this day he has given me, and the ability to press on and grow in my relationship with my savior as well as a mother and a wife.
Please continue to keep Steve and I in your prayers as things begin to look up in our life in PNG we still will have many obstacles to overcome.
- Please pray for safety for Steve as he travels
- Please pray for our reliance to be our Father and not ourselves
- Please pray that we would be used mightily of God while here
- Please pray that God would guide our hearts to make wise decisions.
We were blessed to meet the Sisson family yesterday. They are a family that lives outside of Garoka that works with a missionary group called “To every tribe” and we had been talking with the director of the group about meeting while in PNG. This providential meeting was great because we got a chance to spend some time having them for lunch yesterday and their 3 children before traveling to Garoka and staying with them in their home. They have traveled between Ukarumpa and Garoka (About a 2 hour car drive) over 70 times in the last year and agreed that they would possibly be able to pick us up and bring us back, which would be huge answered pray to not be traveling by ourselves on the roads of PNG by ourselves. This trip should happen some time in early to mid March. Our lunch with this family was a much-needed encouragement and we were very blessed to spend time with them.
As Steve and I have discussed in the two weeks we have been here, many strangers have had us over for dinner. Who does that in the US? No one? Why is that? Why don’t we as Christians invest in others that we don’t know? Why are we the same as unbelievers? This is something the Lord has placed deeply on my heart. To reach out, out of love to those we live around and those we don’t know and show them the warmth and love of Christ through a meal. Someone having a genuine investment in me has changed my life in amazing ways and I hope to come home and have the same investment in others.
Hope that his blog isn’t too boring and that you were able to read through it and be encouraged. Please remember…
- You have a dishwasher!
- You have a clothes dryer!
- You have a car!
It’s a good day!
PS. I would like to thank Sarah Franklin as I listen to the CD she gave us before we left and enjoy tremendously as it is the only music that we have.
I would also like to congratulate Adam and Kelsey Baydo on the birth of their little girl Aubrey on 1/28/12! Such an amazing blessing and we can’t wait to see and meet her when we return home!
Again love you all
xoxo ~Becky
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Another day in Ukarumpa
Hi all! I just wanted to thank you for the prayers, we finally received Gracie's bag about an hour ago! With everything in tact!
We have been so blessed to have this answered prayer and ask that you would continue to pray for us as we venture on.
Some highlights of the last few days...
- Chasing a Gecko out of the bathroom with a broom
- Having a small kitten less than a week old find its way into the house
- Bright sun shinning days
- Enjoying my laundry (I know right) It is kind of relaxing to go out and hang it up and smell it and bring it down in the sun.
- A electric tea kettle that is always hot and boils in less than a minute! Who knew?? Us Americans are missing out
- Dreaming of home :)
- Email correspondence with those we love
- Steve keeping busy teaching 9th grade class CPR/First Aid, and doing fire escape plans for all of the major buildings.
- Steve booking his flight back from Madang, He leaves on Monday The 6th-8th. Please keep him in your prays for Travel mercies.
- Having Steve come home for lunch during the day (less than 10 minute walking commute, and 1hr lunch times)
- Amazing Pineapple with homemade yogurt!
- Organic Veggies and Fruits
- Finding a bug named a rhinoceros beetle, go ahead google it after you read this!
- Beating Steve at golf (card game)
- Going to bed around 9pm at night and waking refreshed at 7ish
- Getting Gracie's suitcase back
-Picnics in the front lawn
- Swinging at the park, our side yard
- Gracie learning to walk in grass
- More Bananas then you can eat
~Thinking of you all and praying for you nightly as we continue to live on the other side of this thing we call the world!
We have been so blessed to have this answered prayer and ask that you would continue to pray for us as we venture on.
Some highlights of the last few days...
- Chasing a Gecko out of the bathroom with a broom
- Having a small kitten less than a week old find its way into the house
- Bright sun shinning days
- Enjoying my laundry (I know right) It is kind of relaxing to go out and hang it up and smell it and bring it down in the sun.
- A electric tea kettle that is always hot and boils in less than a minute! Who knew?? Us Americans are missing out
- Dreaming of home :)
- Email correspondence with those we love
- Steve keeping busy teaching 9th grade class CPR/First Aid, and doing fire escape plans for all of the major buildings.
- Steve booking his flight back from Madang, He leaves on Monday The 6th-8th. Please keep him in your prays for Travel mercies.
- Having Steve come home for lunch during the day (less than 10 minute walking commute, and 1hr lunch times)
- Amazing Pineapple with homemade yogurt!
- Organic Veggies and Fruits
- Finding a bug named a rhinoceros beetle, go ahead google it after you read this!
- Beating Steve at golf (card game)
- Going to bed around 9pm at night and waking refreshed at 7ish
- Getting Gracie's suitcase back
-Picnics in the front lawn
- Swinging at the park, our side yard
- Gracie learning to walk in grass
- More Bananas then you can eat
~Thinking of you all and praying for you nightly as we continue to live on the other side of this thing we call the world!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Apinun
Good Afternoon from Ukarumpa
Or should I say Apinun! Apinun is what PNG people say to greet one another in the afternoon here. Meaning “Afternoon” Many people here talk Pisin which is a form of English that is hard to understand.
I am currently sitting at our kitchen table while Steve is off to teach First Aid and CPR to the Senior High School Health class and Gracie is napping. This is some of the first moments that I have had to myself since we left the states. Ahhh…peace and quite! It is about 11 am here on Tuesday making it about 5pm at home on Monday. To figure out the time I tend to add 6 hours and subtract a day.
This morning Gracie and I got up about 6:50 which is perfect since we have been going to bed between 8 and 9 pm here. We were told on our first day here that there is not much to do in the evenings that is why people have some many children here (LOL). It is the truth once the sun goes down everyone hunkers in for the evening. Anyway back to my story, I was able to get up make pancakes, take a shower, make Steve a lunch, play with Gracie on the playground swing, and get two loads of laundry out on the line by 11 here. I guess maybe it should be my nap time too.
We have been so graciously greeted by many of the people living here. In the week we have been here we have had only one dinner at home. We often meet someone new and they say come for dinner tonight! Woo Hoo another day with out cooking. So we have plans through Tomorrow night for dinner with several other invites that we have not accepted a date yet. This too is a blessing because of the cost of food. We packed 385$ Kina so 190$ in to a milk crate yesterday. Wow no wonder many people can’t afford to live here anymore and are forced to move back to the states.
I thought you might find the water system interesting. Our house is plumed to two different sources. First the Hot water comes from a near by river so when drawing a bath it often has a brown color to it due to the rainy season. Our cold water is plumed to the rain water off our roof. Some people drink this directly while others filter it. There is quite a bit of sediment in it, if you were to get a glass from the tap. We have not been able to find a filter here so have been using tap water. I think this is why my stomach has been so iffy lately, well pretty much since we arrived. I often find myself in the bathroom once to twice a day with an upset stomach. I took a picture of Steve and Gracie the other day in a brown bathtub. This portion of living in a third world country will be quite a memory.
There have been several words that have thrown us for a loop lately. Although everyone speaks English its not necessarily the same English. Some examples…
Diapers = Nappies
Stroller = Pram
Pot luck dinner = Bring a plate
There are others that I can’t think of but I find them interesting so I must share as I run across them with you.
Steve has a chance to travel to Madang a town a day and a half by car north of us. People often measure in time here rather than in distance (either how long to drive or walk). So I believe he will be traveling February 6th through the 8th helping transport a car and then flying home. This will allow him to leave the “compound” with two other men and get to see some of the countryside. Please pray for travel mercies for him as he is out, many times people can be held up and robbed while traveling by car (All mom’s disregard that last comment)
We got our email set up through SIL which I believe Summer Institute of Linguistics (The overall umbrella organization here) and we will be able to send pictures for free to those who would like to see. Please leave your email if you would like to be on our Picture list, or perhaps I will send them to a family member and ask them to post them on the blog. We will see how long it takes to send the email today.
Again I hope that this post finds you well. That you are able to keep us in your prayers and that many you are comforted by our redeemer.
~Becky…Steve and Gracie too!
Or should I say Apinun! Apinun is what PNG people say to greet one another in the afternoon here. Meaning “Afternoon” Many people here talk Pisin which is a form of English that is hard to understand.
I am currently sitting at our kitchen table while Steve is off to teach First Aid and CPR to the Senior High School Health class and Gracie is napping. This is some of the first moments that I have had to myself since we left the states. Ahhh…peace and quite! It is about 11 am here on Tuesday making it about 5pm at home on Monday. To figure out the time I tend to add 6 hours and subtract a day.
This morning Gracie and I got up about 6:50 which is perfect since we have been going to bed between 8 and 9 pm here. We were told on our first day here that there is not much to do in the evenings that is why people have some many children here (LOL). It is the truth once the sun goes down everyone hunkers in for the evening. Anyway back to my story, I was able to get up make pancakes, take a shower, make Steve a lunch, play with Gracie on the playground swing, and get two loads of laundry out on the line by 11 here. I guess maybe it should be my nap time too.
We have been so graciously greeted by many of the people living here. In the week we have been here we have had only one dinner at home. We often meet someone new and they say come for dinner tonight! Woo Hoo another day with out cooking. So we have plans through Tomorrow night for dinner with several other invites that we have not accepted a date yet. This too is a blessing because of the cost of food. We packed 385$ Kina so 190$ in to a milk crate yesterday. Wow no wonder many people can’t afford to live here anymore and are forced to move back to the states.
I thought you might find the water system interesting. Our house is plumed to two different sources. First the Hot water comes from a near by river so when drawing a bath it often has a brown color to it due to the rainy season. Our cold water is plumed to the rain water off our roof. Some people drink this directly while others filter it. There is quite a bit of sediment in it, if you were to get a glass from the tap. We have not been able to find a filter here so have been using tap water. I think this is why my stomach has been so iffy lately, well pretty much since we arrived. I often find myself in the bathroom once to twice a day with an upset stomach. I took a picture of Steve and Gracie the other day in a brown bathtub. This portion of living in a third world country will be quite a memory.
There have been several words that have thrown us for a loop lately. Although everyone speaks English its not necessarily the same English. Some examples…
Diapers = Nappies
Stroller = Pram
Pot luck dinner = Bring a plate
There are others that I can’t think of but I find them interesting so I must share as I run across them with you.
Steve has a chance to travel to Madang a town a day and a half by car north of us. People often measure in time here rather than in distance (either how long to drive or walk). So I believe he will be traveling February 6th through the 8th helping transport a car and then flying home. This will allow him to leave the “compound” with two other men and get to see some of the countryside. Please pray for travel mercies for him as he is out, many times people can be held up and robbed while traveling by car (All mom’s disregard that last comment)
We got our email set up through SIL which I believe Summer Institute of Linguistics (The overall umbrella organization here) and we will be able to send pictures for free to those who would like to see. Please leave your email if you would like to be on our Picture list, or perhaps I will send them to a family member and ask them to post them on the blog. We will see how long it takes to send the email today.
Again I hope that this post finds you well. That you are able to keep us in your prayers and that many you are comforted by our redeemer.
~Becky…Steve and Gracie too!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
A new Adventure
A New Adventure in Papua New Guinea!
Well we made it after 5 plane rides to PNG. If I never told you how we were traveling here is an outline
-Seattle to San Fran
-San Fran to Auckland New Zealand
- Auckland to Brisbane Australia
-Australia to Port Moresby New Guinea
-Port Moresby to Ukarumpa!
Whew I tried from just typing it. We left on Sunday the 22 and arrived on Thursday 26 after a day layover and loosing a day with the time change.
Gracie did great with all the flying. On our long trip to Auckland she slept between 8 and 9 hours of the 12 hours which was amazing. We were also blessed with a seat for her on every plane ride. WOOOHOO So very thankful for that ☺
In Brisbane we were short one bag…being Gracie’s which has all the diapers and wipes. I did buy one small pack of wipes when in Australia so we are “making do” and had some extra disposables that have lasted so far as well as many people have donated to our cause while here these few short days. Another blessing.
When we got to Ukarumpa we were greeted at the grass airstrip by approximately 8 people that were there to welcome us and make us feel comfortable. We have been taken well care of and have found the community quite endearing. When a new couple comes to Ukarumpa it is custom to have them over for dinner and lunch for the first 3 days, So today was the first day that I had to cook.
Food here is very EXPENSIVE. I’ll give you an example. The PNG dollar is called a Kina well we get 2 kina for very 1 dollar. Now a carton of eggs is 12$ Kina. Which is still 6 dollars! Everything that is brought in by ship from the USA or Australia is very overpriced a box of cereal is 18 Kina, and yes somehow Steve talked me into a box of cereal. Many of the boxes were close to expiring because no one buys cereal here.
However there is a market here that the locals grow food for on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-8am. The vegetables and fruit is very reasonable much cheaper than in the States and we had an amazing salad for dinner tonight with all Organic veggies and home made yogurt. Who knew you could make yogurt so easily, and such a good low cal dressing ☺ I spent 6 USD at the market for all the vegetables we got and Steve bought me lovely flowers for 50 cents!
Our home is very comfortable but plane. No colors on the wall are much decoration, man I would love a few candles to burn for just a little ambiance but I guess I shall wait until I return home for that. We are staying in a duplex that was originally made for translators that would only be in town for less than 5 months and then again back in the village to learn the language so many people have slept in these beds. The homes that people own are almost like the ones at home. Many people have remolded and have this amazing rose wood here that they use for cabinets and floors.
Poor Gracie, or should I say poor Mommy and Daddy, because Gracie’s time clock has still not changed. She has been up between 4 and 5 EVERY night since we left ready for the day to begin. Some of the days I have been able to get her back to sleep and some I have not been so lucky. Please pray for better time adjustment for her so that we can feel rested as well.
She also had a hard time with a fever and rash. She had been running at least a 103 fever and has had a horrible rash all over her body looking like measles, also with diarrhea. Her fever has subsided and the rash is fading slowly, still having some loose stools, so please pray for her health as well that she would return back to her happy self, seeing as she doesn’t feel well she has been quite cranky.
I plan to add some pictures but after trying for 15 minutes for one picture I guess it will have to be another day!
I hope that this note finds you well and that we will be hearing from many of you on here.
Love Becky, Steve and Gracie
Well we made it after 5 plane rides to PNG. If I never told you how we were traveling here is an outline
-Seattle to San Fran
-San Fran to Auckland New Zealand
- Auckland to Brisbane Australia
-Australia to Port Moresby New Guinea
-Port Moresby to Ukarumpa!
Whew I tried from just typing it. We left on Sunday the 22 and arrived on Thursday 26 after a day layover and loosing a day with the time change.
Gracie did great with all the flying. On our long trip to Auckland she slept between 8 and 9 hours of the 12 hours which was amazing. We were also blessed with a seat for her on every plane ride. WOOOHOO So very thankful for that ☺
In Brisbane we were short one bag…being Gracie’s which has all the diapers and wipes. I did buy one small pack of wipes when in Australia so we are “making do” and had some extra disposables that have lasted so far as well as many people have donated to our cause while here these few short days. Another blessing.
When we got to Ukarumpa we were greeted at the grass airstrip by approximately 8 people that were there to welcome us and make us feel comfortable. We have been taken well care of and have found the community quite endearing. When a new couple comes to Ukarumpa it is custom to have them over for dinner and lunch for the first 3 days, So today was the first day that I had to cook.
Food here is very EXPENSIVE. I’ll give you an example. The PNG dollar is called a Kina well we get 2 kina for very 1 dollar. Now a carton of eggs is 12$ Kina. Which is still 6 dollars! Everything that is brought in by ship from the USA or Australia is very overpriced a box of cereal is 18 Kina, and yes somehow Steve talked me into a box of cereal. Many of the boxes were close to expiring because no one buys cereal here.
However there is a market here that the locals grow food for on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-8am. The vegetables and fruit is very reasonable much cheaper than in the States and we had an amazing salad for dinner tonight with all Organic veggies and home made yogurt. Who knew you could make yogurt so easily, and such a good low cal dressing ☺ I spent 6 USD at the market for all the vegetables we got and Steve bought me lovely flowers for 50 cents!
Our home is very comfortable but plane. No colors on the wall are much decoration, man I would love a few candles to burn for just a little ambiance but I guess I shall wait until I return home for that. We are staying in a duplex that was originally made for translators that would only be in town for less than 5 months and then again back in the village to learn the language so many people have slept in these beds. The homes that people own are almost like the ones at home. Many people have remolded and have this amazing rose wood here that they use for cabinets and floors.
Poor Gracie, or should I say poor Mommy and Daddy, because Gracie’s time clock has still not changed. She has been up between 4 and 5 EVERY night since we left ready for the day to begin. Some of the days I have been able to get her back to sleep and some I have not been so lucky. Please pray for better time adjustment for her so that we can feel rested as well.
She also had a hard time with a fever and rash. She had been running at least a 103 fever and has had a horrible rash all over her body looking like measles, also with diarrhea. Her fever has subsided and the rash is fading slowly, still having some loose stools, so please pray for her health as well that she would return back to her happy self, seeing as she doesn’t feel well she has been quite cranky.
I plan to add some pictures but after trying for 15 minutes for one picture I guess it will have to be another day!
I hope that this note finds you well and that we will be hearing from many of you on here.
Love Becky, Steve and Gracie
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Starting to say Good-bye
Well I thought I better jump back on the blogging bandwagon since this will be my main source of communication in the up coming months.
Gracie and I had a great lunch today at Rock pizza with our great friends Shannon and Sarah. It really hit home when we were leaving and I realized I wouldn't see those sweet faces until we return from New Guinea in April...Seems so far away.
I also bought cloth diapers today....hmmmm this will be quite the experience. I know the Lord will use it to sanctify and grow me but I'm still nervous and slightly scared. I am so ready for an amazing adventure but I'm not good with change. It is something that I tend to do dragging both feet. I only have 4 more shifts at work before we leave and so may Good-byes to say that my heart is saddened. But perhaps I'll just say "See you later" as it is only 3 months we will be gone and not as thought we will not be back.
I have so much to pack and still to purchase. I really don't have many summer clothes due to the fact that Washington DOESN"T have summers. I am in need of some long skirts if anyone has a few to spare during these cold months here. It should be 80-90 degrees where we are headed but warmer with the humidity.
I did find out that we will have DSL in our room. WOO HOO connection to America. However, we have to pay 12 cents per MB we down/upload...so skyping with family will be limited. I hope to be able to post some videos of GRacie though so all the Grandparents can see her as a one year old changes dramatically in 3 months.
Well these are just my thoughts for the day. Excitement and sadness at the same time. Thanks for listening to my heart and here are a few recent pictures of Gracie our family since it has been a while since I have posted on here.
Gracie and I had a great lunch today at Rock pizza with our great friends Shannon and Sarah. It really hit home when we were leaving and I realized I wouldn't see those sweet faces until we return from New Guinea in April...Seems so far away.
I also bought cloth diapers today....hmmmm this will be quite the experience. I know the Lord will use it to sanctify and grow me but I'm still nervous and slightly scared. I am so ready for an amazing adventure but I'm not good with change. It is something that I tend to do dragging both feet. I only have 4 more shifts at work before we leave and so may Good-byes to say that my heart is saddened. But perhaps I'll just say "See you later" as it is only 3 months we will be gone and not as thought we will not be back.
I have so much to pack and still to purchase. I really don't have many summer clothes due to the fact that Washington DOESN"T have summers. I am in need of some long skirts if anyone has a few to spare during these cold months here. It should be 80-90 degrees where we are headed but warmer with the humidity.
I did find out that we will have DSL in our room. WOO HOO connection to America. However, we have to pay 12 cents per MB we down/upload...so skyping with family will be limited. I hope to be able to post some videos of GRacie though so all the Grandparents can see her as a one year old changes dramatically in 3 months.
Well these are just my thoughts for the day. Excitement and sadness at the same time. Thanks for listening to my heart and here are a few recent pictures of Gracie our family since it has been a while since I have posted on here.
Monday, October 17, 2011
101 Things to do with a toddler
I stole this from another blog...Really I am posting it so that I can find it again. It was originally from Pinterest. So here is the list:
101 Things to do with your toddler
Color
Blow Bubbles
Play Hide-and-Seek
Peek-a-Boo
Play Chase
Do Finger-plays
Sing a song
Collect rocks in a basket
Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
Go for a Walk
Make a Car out of a Box
Read a book
Go to the park
Finger-paint
Play with Play-Dough
Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
Play the shell and pea game
Dance to music
Download games for toddlers from the Internet
Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags
Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
Put on a puppet show
Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
Make a Horseshoe game
Make a Shape Puzzle
Play paper basketball
Run through a Sprinkler
Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
Play with a kazoo
Wash windows together
Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
Brush each other's teeth
Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other
Make a playhouse out of a large box
Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!)
Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
Go on a Smelling Hunt
Frost Cookies
Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
Have a splash party together in the bathtub
Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
Make and try on paper hats
Give a piggy-back ride
Play "Horsey"
Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
Play tug-of-war with a blanket
Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
Make a camera and go on a Safari
Play games with frozen juice lids
Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
String large beads onto or along a shoelace
Squirt each other with squirt bottles
Glue shapes onto paper
Make sock puppets
Make paper puppets
Fill an old purse with toys
Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
Act out a story from a book
Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
Do the Hokey Pokey
Make a super-hero costume out of household items
Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
Learn numbers from a deck of cards
Play the matching game with a deck of cards
Make a domino chain
Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
Make a nature collage
Mirror each other
Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
Make and walk along a toilet paper trail
TAKE A NAP!
101 Things to do with your toddler
Color
Blow Bubbles
Play Hide-and-Seek
Peek-a-Boo
Play Chase
Do Finger-plays
Sing a song
Collect rocks in a basket
Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
Go for a Walk
Make a Car out of a Box
Read a book
Go to the park
Finger-paint
Play with Play-Dough
Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
Play the shell and pea game
Dance to music
Download games for toddlers from the Internet
Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags
Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
Put on a puppet show
Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
Make a Horseshoe game
Make a Shape Puzzle
Play paper basketball
Run through a Sprinkler
Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
Play with a kazoo
Wash windows together
Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
Brush each other's teeth
Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other
Make a playhouse out of a large box
Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!)
Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
Go on a Smelling Hunt
Frost Cookies
Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
Have a splash party together in the bathtub
Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
Make and try on paper hats
Give a piggy-back ride
Play "Horsey"
Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
Play tug-of-war with a blanket
Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
Make a camera and go on a Safari
Play games with frozen juice lids
Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
String large beads onto or along a shoelace
Squirt each other with squirt bottles
Glue shapes onto paper
Make sock puppets
Make paper puppets
Fill an old purse with toys
Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
Act out a story from a book
Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
Do the Hokey Pokey
Make a super-hero costume out of household items
Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
Learn numbers from a deck of cards
Play the matching game with a deck of cards
Make a domino chain
Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
Make a nature collage
Mirror each other
Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
Make and walk along a toilet paper trail
TAKE A NAP!
Pumpkin patch
We went to the Pumpkin Patch today and I just wanted to share a few pictures from last year and this year. Its amazing how one year can change a baby so much! What a blessing that the sun was out and shining for us the whole day! Thank you Lord :)
Oh yes and how tired you look with a newborn. Its amazing how rested I looked today vs. a year ago. Whew glad I'm getting sleep again...Until round 2 that is :)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ericson Update...
Well we have patiently been getting ready for our trip to PNG. Gracie got her first passport in the mail this week, now we are applying for our Visa's and once we get those we will be buying our plane tickets and its a set thing. It seems to be coming all to fast! On one hand I am so excited for this amazing adventure on the other hand I'm completely overwhelmed and worried about all the little things like buying cloth diapers so I can diaper Gracie in PNG...
On another note I was writing about all the work layoffs...well because they let go of so many people they have tons of days for me to work, I am working 3 days a week this whole month and they were trying to convince me to work 4...NO THANK YOU! This is a blessing since we will be funding our own trip to PNG which will be quite expensive. Also Steve has been picking up lots of overtime so thats helpful in the financial department but I am getting tired of working opposite schedules and never seeing my husband.
Gracie Still has 5 teeth, she is standing on her own without holding onto anything but will not take a step...she looks at me and then goes straight to her knees and crawl/runs over. I know she could, she often walks with only the help of one finger of mine, but just wont take the leap. She has always been a great eater but has definitely narrowed her food that she likes lately. I tried feeding her cauliflower tonight which she ate the first bite and then proceeded to like the Johnny's seasoning off the rest and then throw them on the floor. She LOVES feeding Shadow.
Her First Birthday was a BLAST...but was quite CRAZY!! I think next year it will be much more scaled back, less people and potluck style. But you only turn one once and might as well go big the first time. Steve asked me "Will they all be like this??" Poor guy was being run ragged with all the "chores" I had for him to get ready.
Here ares some pictures that I took not at the party but several days later just to capture her enjoyment of cake :)
On another note I was writing about all the work layoffs...well because they let go of so many people they have tons of days for me to work, I am working 3 days a week this whole month and they were trying to convince me to work 4...NO THANK YOU! This is a blessing since we will be funding our own trip to PNG which will be quite expensive. Also Steve has been picking up lots of overtime so thats helpful in the financial department but I am getting tired of working opposite schedules and never seeing my husband.
Gracie Still has 5 teeth, she is standing on her own without holding onto anything but will not take a step...she looks at me and then goes straight to her knees and crawl/runs over. I know she could, she often walks with only the help of one finger of mine, but just wont take the leap. She has always been a great eater but has definitely narrowed her food that she likes lately. I tried feeding her cauliflower tonight which she ate the first bite and then proceeded to like the Johnny's seasoning off the rest and then throw them on the floor. She LOVES feeding Shadow.
Her First Birthday was a BLAST...but was quite CRAZY!! I think next year it will be much more scaled back, less people and potluck style. But you only turn one once and might as well go big the first time. Steve asked me "Will they all be like this??" Poor guy was being run ragged with all the "chores" I had for him to get ready.
Here ares some pictures that I took not at the party but several days later just to capture her enjoyment of cake :)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
You cant be one and have cradle cap!
Well It was time for some intense treatment...
Gracie is so close to turning one and was still flaking daily, this yellowy color nastyness. EWW
Sooo...after the shampoo not working I decided that we must spend some much needed time with olive oil and a tooth brush ...Here are a few pictures from our adventure. The best part is that IT WORKED!
PS...Your hair will style however you want it to with olive oil :)
Gracie is so close to turning one and was still flaking daily, this yellowy color nastyness. EWW
Sooo...after the shampoo not working I decided that we must spend some much needed time with olive oil and a tooth brush ...Here are a few pictures from our adventure. The best part is that IT WORKED!
PS...Your hair will style however you want it to with olive oil :)
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