Still Partying

Holly was invited to a real life party on Sunday night. Since we don't have a PM service on Sundays, I thought it would be a good chance to get to know some more people. Holly was really excited about going and I was happy for her. It was at a place called Pump it Up. I lost all excitement for the celebration when they handed me a waiver to sign. Whatever happened to having birthday parties at home anyway? Letting a child, whose nickname happens to be Crash, loose in a place like that is nerve racking. She did fine, thankfully. Only ended up with a slight friction burn from one of the slides. I'm glad she had fun. I'm glad it was only two hours.

Are you enjoying the Ultimate Blog Party? I've been busy the last couple of days with substitute teaching but I'll probably check out some more blogs tonight and put another party game on my blog. Tell me who has a great party going on?

What I Was Doing

I saw this tag on Karen’s blog and thought I would join in.

1) What I was doing ten years ago:
September of 1997 we were in Romania for the first time. We had only been there for two months. Two of the most difficult months of my life. Just to add to that, I found out that we were expecting Holly just two weeks after we arrived. I had a horrible case of all day sickness that lasted 9 months. John and I had just started taking Romanian lessons. A simple thing like talking made me nauseous. That made language lessons and homeschooling much more challenging. I consumed peppermints continuously. So many that even now I cannot stand the thought of them.

2.) Five years ago:

We had been in Romania for our second term for six months. My 4oth birthday was coming up and I was so blue. We had met a lot of people but none of them were really friends yet. I did not want to turn 40 yet I didn’t want such a milestone to go by without a celebration. Poor John didn’t know what to do with me! He ended up fixing me a nice dinner and he and the kids bought me some gifts. It was a good day and the next day I woke up feeling like the same person. I realized I was making a big deal out of a silly number.

3) One year ago:

I am amazed that one year ago today, I never dreamed that we would be back in the states. My first few months in Romania a decade ago was a nightmare. I could have left the country and never looked back. But over time, I learned to love the country and the people. Last September I assumed that we would spend many more years there. I never dreamed that God would ask us to return to the States, leaving our hearts behind.

4.) Yesterday:

Yesterday I subbed in a first grade classroom. One thing I love about substitute teaching is that when the kids are gone, the school day is over. There aren’t any lesson plans or all the many other things to do. And if a class is particularly difficult, and some are, I don’t have to go back!

5.) 5 snacks I enjoy:

Nacho chips and salsa, Double stuffed Oreo cookies, peanut butter crackers, brownies, anything with cheese.


6.) 5 Things I would do if I suddenly had $100 million
What wouldn’t I do if I had that much money?? I’d buy a house. I’d buy my parents’ a house – here of course! I’d buy a jet so we could fly comfortably to Romania and anywhere else. I’d buy myself a new car and I’d buy John a new car. I would NOT buy my kids a car. I’ve told them over and over. I don’t care if I had a million dollars, that is something they have to earn themselves.

7.) 5 locations I would like to run away to:

Romania, San Diego, Hawaii, Alabama, Mexico

8.) 5 bad habits I have:
You don’t really think I have any bad habits do you?

9.) 5 things I like doing:
Reading, Bible study, playing games – especially word games, being with my family, blogging

10.) 5 TV shows I like:
LOST, HGTV, that’s about it

11.) 5 things I hate doing:
Washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, putting away the laundry, cutting up raw chicken, moving

12.) 5 Biggest joys of the moment:
Being where God wants me to be (or trying to anyway!), spending time with my husband and kids, singing in the music group at church – tomorrow is our first time, the cool fall breeze coming through my open window, My friend, Monica, from Romania who just called me to wish me a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Holly

Holly turned 9 today. This past decade has been amazing in so many ways. Sometimes horrifying, sometimes glorious, sometimes boring even but always with God’s mercy and grace to see us through. I wish I had journaled all those years. Most of it is only a memory that I am trying to write down bit by bit. Right now I can hear her sweet laughter in the other room as she is playing with her cousins. Her first nickname came because of her joyful spirit – “Holly Jolly”. Of course, she is far from perfect and the laughter can just as easily turn into tears when life doesn’t go her way. She tends to be more dramatic than most and she has earned the nickname “Hollywood” She loves to make plans and lists but organization in her bedroom somehow escapes her. Maybe in time. Happy Birthday to my youngest sweetheart!!