1-2-3 Here we go...Potty Training for Twins

There are 2 things I have had on my "To-Do" list for weeks now.  One is a new blog post and the second is potty training twins.  The first item I really do enjoy... updating my blog, but when I get a week or more behind it becomes hard to get back on track.  The latter of the two I have been avoiding by using the summer and a birthday party to put it off...more than understandable, RIGHT?!

So, here I am on the eve of finally having potty training on my calendar.  We have blocked off 1-4 days, have the chair, purchased treats, stuffed animals are dressed in underwear ready to go, and even sequestered my helpful husband!  How do I feel?  Well, that would be the reason I am finally getting a blog post done...I am asking for you to pray for us these next few days.  Potty training Hope was one of the "mom" duties that terrified me, and now here we are ready for the twins turn.  To give you some perspective on how much I dread potty training, even when I was pregnant with twins I thought about having to potty train them in 2 years!  Even just posting this before I start is a step of faith that I can DO this, instead of waiting until after it's done.  

If you have any encouragement, please post it in the comments below, especially if you have potty trained twins!  I appreciate you caring and praying for us as we encounter life's terrifying moments.  Also, there are a couple of posts to update you on how we are doing that I have been working on and I will try to get them done very soon.

I will update you next weekend on how it all goes.  Here we go...

This is my potty-terrifying life as a traveling mom,
Jennifer

Impact-Full

YEA! So happy to say that the weeks of my husbands traveling, that I dreaded months ago, have come to an end!  

Plus, this week I had lunch with a friend returning from the US, and it dawned on me that she is the first friend of the many traveling this summer to return to town.  Definitely makes me feel that we are on the home stretch of summer furlough season here.  As I have learned after 2 summer school breaks living in Chiang Mai is there is a mass exodus in the 1st 2 weeks of June, and then a mass entrance in the end of July and beginning of August.  

Still going strong doing the summer bible study with Good Morning Girls.  If you are looking for a good book to read or looking for a bible study to start in the fall, I would definitely recommend the book we are reading.  It is titled "Anything" by the author Jennie Allen.  God is doing a great work in my heart and stirring up a fire in me this summer. 

I just want to share some highlights from my chapters this week that are challenging and impact-full.

"I don't want to make decisions based on my adequacy and capacity.  I don't want to miss what God has for us because I am afraid.  Just because we are willing didn't mean it was easy.  I still wanted God to be more clear, so we could be more sure." (Chapter 15)

"In parenting...you have two or maybe three babies who turn into toddlers. At some point you either live perpetually anxious or give in and embrace the fact that your life is now completely out of control.  Once you embrace that, parenting shifts from an agenda to an experience." (Chapter 16)

"Our reality is a cross, a heaven, and a God who sees us and gives us his Spirit so we can do something while we are here.  And that's not building a cute, easy life for ourselves where the pros outweigh the cons."  (Chapter 16)

"We doubt because of the risk, the cost, the abandonment of rights and comforts, the disapproval of people you really love, and then on top of it all, because you have now officially picked a fight with the devil.
The devil is real, and nothing ticks him off more than people waking up from the numb stupor he has crafted to keep us harmless."
(Chapter 17)

"To accept that life is supposed to be hard is the beginning of joy.  There is freedom in understanding that heaven is coming and we are not there yet.  We're called to live, instead, aware that we are at war with a ruthless enemy who is trying to destroy us if we are living surrendered to Jesus." (Chapter 17)

"God has bigger purposes in allowing us to suffer, bigger than just winning.  He allows us to suffer because we change through suffering.  We hurt with others better.  We become humble.  We want him more." (Chapter 17)

Even as I read them out of context of the book here, they challenge and inspire me to know God more.  This really is a great book to read, and study scripture along with it.  (She has lots of scripture references that go along the way with the above quotes).  

Today I will end with God's Word:

"Now I am coming to You, 

and I speak these things in the world

so that they may have My joy completed in them.

I have given them Your word.  

The world hated them because they are not of the world, 

as I am not of the world.

I am not praying that You take them out of the world 

but that You protect them from the evil one.  

They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.  

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.  

As You sent Me into the world, 

I also have sent them into the world."

John 17 v.13-18

WE ARE THEM.

This is my blessed & non-traveling life,

Jennifer

Taking back our living room

I'm definitely a "a place for everything, and everything in it's place" kinda girl.  When we lived in our last home in the US I was pretty strict to keep all my daughters toys in her room...that was their place after all.  Our living room was a family space with pictures and candles and just a few knick-knacks. 

Fast forward to living in a new country and adding 2 more little girls to the family picture...
Since living in Thailand, we started out with a very minimum of toys for all 3 girls and so they were in a box and stayed in our living room area.  With time (almost 2 years actually) of living here, our toy collection has grown way beyond a box and still overwhelming the living room area.  So, a couple of weeks ago I took back our living room from the toy over-growth by moving ALL their toys into their bedroom as I had done with Hope when she was young.  I think one of the reasons I hadn't done this before is because here we are in a 2-story house, where as before we were in a single story house. A little leary about the twins going up & down the stairs, but they are doing really well! 

It has really been great to have their room for them to play & I am actually enjoying the fruits of having twins.  They are playing together in there!  I can put them in their room and even get a quick shower in while they play with each other.  

In an earlier post, I mentioned another twin mom saying that after 2 years old it got a little easier...and I'm happy to report that She Was So Right!  

As I talked about in my last post, I am involved with a summer bible study through the Good Morning Girls blog.  This has been an AMAZING way to thrive this summer and not just survive.  We are reading the book "Anything" by Jennie Allen and there are daily scripture to read and apply to our everyday life with the help of this book.  

A couple of exciting points that I want to share are that first, I have been memorizing a weekly scripture verse for the past 4 weeks of the study!  This is exciting for me because I have done a few studies and they usually encourage memorizing scripture, but I always said "oh, that's so hard" or "I can't do that, my brain doesn't work like that".  Now I know those were complete lies from enemy, because it is possible to memorize scripture for anyone!  I just had to believe that I can memorize the Word of God and put the effort in.  

Secondly, is another point about putting in the effort...with my daughter Hope.  This study also give a great day by day plan to do with your kids, no matter their age.  Up until today, we were doing part of it...but not the whole.  Today I had to make an aware decision to sit down and do the craft and spend time with Hope, and it was really great!  This week we will be learning about prayer, and today she made her very own prayer book!

I really love being aware during my day!  

And it is a decision we have to make...

And this is life as a traveling mother...well, maybe not this summer ;-)

Jennifer

Summer Break is Upon Us...AND I'M SO EXCITED!

This time last year I was overcome with anxiety about having my daughter home everyday after being in school full-time for 7 months.  So the title of this post may surprise you that I am actually excited to be looking forward at the next 9 weeks of having 3 very active little girls around me all day.  

As I think about this change, I think there are 2 reasons.  

First, I have come to realize that each summer the girls are at a certain age to enjoy.  There will NEVER be another summer that I will have a 5 year old and two 2 year olds other than this summer.  If I stop all the nonsense that keeps me busy or preoccupied (i.e. TV, games, straightening every item, etc.) I might actually appreciate the fun that being 2 and 5 really is. 

Also, while "blog browsing" I found an online bible study group called "Good Morning Girls" (GMG).  Since signing up for their summer study, they have put together a "For Kids" version study guide using the same scriptures as my study guide.  I have often thought about starting a bible study time with Hope and the twins, but have never put that good intention into action.  Their study guide is great with all kinds of resource links for each scripture, including a craft and songs.  The idea of doing this WITH my girls is so exciting to me!  If you are interested to use their materials this summer click here.

If you are familiar with GMG, please let me know how your experience went in the comments below.  And for others who might be interested, I look forward to sharing my experience in about 8-10 weeks!

About a month ago I started to really stress about the months of June and July because my husband is traveling out of town for weeks at a time.  Let's just be honest, having all three girls at home without him is hard work.  But then I heard myself dreading days, weeks, and months that hadn't even happened yet.  It dawned on me, "how can I enjoy today or the days to come if I am dreading them?"  I can't...but I want to enjoy them...I want to find joy in each day.  

I believe that it is up to me to change my mind from dread to joy.

And just being able to write this blog about my excitement for the summer months to come proves that as we choose what to focus on, God can change my heart for the better.

This is my enjoyable life as a traveling mother!
Jennifer

Happy 2nd Birthday Zarah & Keziah!

The week before the birthday celebration another twin mom (whose twins are grown up now) told me that she felt life got a little easier once her twins turned 2 . . . SO HERE WE ARE!  Our lives are about to turn "easy", right?!?  If only life were really that simple.  The truth is we are still in a busy time of everyday learning and growing up.  I want to share with you our family birthday celebration this week.

Having a good time eating their Strawberry Shortcake, opening presents, and going out to Swensens for ice cream.  At this point both girls are excited about cake and ice cream, but when the time comes to eat...not so much into it...are these really my daughters?

 Here are our 2 beautiful daughters!  They are so delightful each in their own special way.  

Please check out my post from last year when the twins turned 1 year old.  It's amazing to see how much they have grown and changed (especially their hair!).  Their personalities are still very different when it comes to food and actions, and now those are just showing up in different ways.  Last year Zarah wouldn't get messy with her cupcake, and now that has evolved into activities like finger painting.  She really gets upset when she gets paint (or anything "messy") on her hands.  Recently I have been working on getting to know their Love Languages, and I think I have found for Keziah she needs physical touch from mommy every so often to be okay.  It is very nice to feel so loved.

As most of you probably know, I didn't grow up with any sisters (now I am truly blessed with 3 wonderful SIL).  Being a mom of 3 girls who are growing up with sisters is a new joy in my life. {insert tears forming in my eyes here}  I love to watch them interact, play, talk to each other, love each other, fight over toys (for now), and giggle together.  From a sisters point of view I probably have no idea what I am doing each day, so I am immensely thankful for the Lord's guidance! What I do know is that there is almost never a dull moment with 3 sisters, and I can say that I am learning to find the FUN!

And this is my life as a Traveling Mother,

Jennifer

I DID IT!...finished a whole book!

I have to be honest, I'm not a big reader.  But about a month ago I checked a book out from the local library and I finished it last night to return it today! That sounds super cheesy, right? ...unfortunately it's just so true.

Okay, so part of the reason for not reading books more might be due to being a mom of 3 girls under 5 years old...yea, that might be part of it.  But I would have to admit that my lack of reading is mostly because I struggle to really enjoy picking up a book.  My brain would much rather watch Survivor...or Mike & Molly...or American Idol...the list goes on.

So by now you are wondering what book I actually read?  It's a book I have been wanting to read for awhile called 'Peace Child' by Don Richardson.  After arriving in Chiang Mai, Don Richardson spoke at the church that we attend here.  I was able to catch a bit of his sermon and was impressed and encouraged by his experience serving God among the Sawi people group.  After finally reading his book, what I take from it is a new hope.  He found the common ground between what the Sawi people had already in their belief system and how God had prepared the way for him to link those beliefs to the Gospel of Jesus.  My hope is to look for this link among those that God puts in my path.  

Not long after hearing Don speak I watched this You Tube video to follow up after the years they had lived there.  It is SO encouraging to many serving in the Kingdom.  Whether you serve God in another country or your home, whether you are serving in missions or serving as a sender of missions; please take 15 minutes to watch this video and be encouraged about what God is doing among people.  

Click HERE to watch "Never the Same: Celebrating 50 Years Since Peace Child" video.

To be honest I am quite thankful that God has not sent our family to live among actual cannibals...right?!?  It can be so hard to be away from family and friends, but this is a great reminder how thankful I am for where we are what we have.

The final words in this video also ring true for me:
"What an incredible privilege it is to join God in His journey to the nations, and it makes me wonder how many people are waiting to experience what the Sawi have experienced"

One last thing...if you could pray for our family to be healthy.  Hope brought a little cold bug home from school and it is gradually working through our family.  It is so weird being sick with a cold when the temperature is 100F!

Thank you for reading and caring for our family.
This is my life as a traveling mother,
Jennifer

New Videos to Share

Last year about this time we unfortunately lost our video camera. It was a great little camera, and after searching through all of our bags and boxes and refusing to give up the search...I had to admit that it was gone.  We have taken a few videos with our regular camera, but they are very bad quality.  Now, thanks to a very "smart" phone, we finally have new videos of the little ones!

Click here to see our girls dancing and singing!

Enjoy!...oh, you may want to turn your speakers down a bit to begin with ;-)

What's been going on?

Again, it's been awhile since my last post...I think I'm just going to use the excuse that's it just been too darn HOT!  My western Washington bones are melting and aching for a good rain!  

So, what's been going on with us lately?  Let's start with our youngest girls.  As I write this it is 1 month until their 2nd birthday, and it is so hard to believe that they really aren't "babies" anymore.  Lately they have really been becoming little girls by saying words we actually understand, being able to ask them a simple questions and having them answer yes or no, playing at the play area on their own, less nap time sleeping, figuring out how to play with their more 'complicated' toys, loving to go swimming at the pool, and giving the cutest smiles at just the right moment!

Hope is just finishing up the 2 week holiday and heading back to school on Monday (Yea!). This 2 week break is for the water festival called Songkran here in Thailand, it's also about the same time as the American spring break.  We were able to keep quite busy these last 2 weeks mostly going to local pools to cool off or taking a dip in our little blow up yard pool.  To get me through this break from school I came up with "Hope's Daily 20's", which was a list of activities for Hope to do when she was "bored" or watching too much TV.  This is what the list included:

• 20 minutes reading books
• 20 minutes doing activity books
• 20 minutes practice riding bike
• 20 minutes cleaning/organizing/straightening
• 20 minutes of exercise (swimming or Wii)
• 20 minutes of resting

Although I do have to admit that she did NOT have 1 day of doing them all, it was a good idea to start this up and I can see it in the future this summer to get me through 2 months without going to school. Hope also recently lost her 2nd tooth by Sheraz pulling it because it was just hanging there...oh boy, there was blood and there was dramatic screaming!  The funny thing is that when her 1st tooth was loose and we started to discuss the tooth fairy, she said "God didn't make fairies, they're not real!"...oh boy we have taught her too well about the Truth!  So we (Hope & I) decided we would make believe and play the tooth fairy so she could enjoy the fun of putting teeth under her pillow at night and getting some money.  So far the tooth fairy in our house pays 35 Baht per tooth (that's about $1).  I think it's fun that she gets her money in Thai Baht for now, what a fun memory for her when she grows up! 

As for me, my last post was all about my cooking skills, but since the hot season of at least 100F has been going on, unfortunately the kitchen is the last room I want to spend any time.  To get me back into the mood of cooking, I've been trying to find recipes on Pinterest that Do Not include turning my oven on.  (If you have any favorite recipes that fall into this category, please share them!)  I'm thinking...Rice Crispy Treats!  Also, I have been trying to improve on my eating and exercise habits lately and this has been a great week.  The trick is that I have to get up early, before 7:00am to get a workout in before the temperature heats up too much.  May is a busy birthday month for us with Sheraz's on the 1st and then the twins on the 20th, so that will probably be taking up my time for the coming weeks.  

And finally Sheraz...well, it's probably the same as always...schoolwork, schoolwork, and some more schoolwork.  Currently he is researching and writing for his thesis paper, which is a good sign that he is at the end of his master's program for the TESOL degree.  

As I mentioned above, it is summer time here and at least 100F everyday, so a water festival that is a giant water fight was very refreshing!  Here are some highlight pictures from our adventure into the fun of a city-wide water fight.

Thanks for checking in on us!  Have a great week, I hope to keep my momentum of another post soon ;-).

(P.S. The air quality has improved with a few good breezy days/evenings and less burning, thank you for your prayers for our families health!)

Growing Together

With all this time indoors due to the heat and smog in Chiang Mai it's about time I write a new post for this blog already!

Here is what we have been dealing with...

Now going through our 2nd burning season here, this is what we have learned about why there is a burning season and why we live with smoke in the air.  

1. Here in Thailand (and surrounding countries) they use the slash and burn method to clear their farms.  Although this process of clearing fields IS illegal, there is NO policing of this law...so it continues.
2. The burning in not in the city Chiang Mai, but in surrounding areas, but because Chiang Mai is in a valley the smoke settles here, until the rain comes to clear the atmosphere.
3. As with almost anything, money is a driving factor... because after they burn their farm and then rain comes, a certain type of mushroom grows that is worth a lot of money on the market.  

So there you have it...unfortunately money wins over health.  

Something I have had on my mind to share is one area in my life that has grown leaps and bounds in the last, yes almost 2 years of living overseas.  My cooking ability.  Growing up I was what Americans have termed a "latch-key kid", meaning my mom was a single working mom so I would go home to a usually empty house.  Since my mom worked we usually cooked and ate easy to prepare meals, and I never really learned about baking or cooking.  It wasn't until after I was married that I realized that my Grandmother DOES know a lot about cooking and baking. And then it wasn't until during my mom's recent visit to Thailand that I realized that she doesn't really enjoy cooking and baking.  So there you go...my Grandma's skills were not passed down.  

The couple things I have learned is that there are different levels to being a good cook and some people enjoy it while others don't...and that is okay.  A couple of weeks ago I made pizza for dinner completely from scratch...yes, the dough, the sauce and all the toppings were fresh.  I thought to myself "this would never have happened so easily a couple of years ago".  Part of being good in the kitchen is just getting in there and becoming comfortable with ingredients, amounts, substituting, temperatures, timing, etc.  Before trying to make something from scratch would stress me out because I wasn't familiar and comfortable with even being in the kitchen.  

Being in a foreign country as a stay at home wife and mother to 3 growing girls has really forced me to go outside what I knew before about preparing food, and it has all been for the better.  Last year I posted about our Thanksgiving meal, this was one of my greatest cooking accomplishments, along with Christmas dinner too.  A few other things I have learned to make from scratch are pancakes/waffles, tortillas, salsa, french dips, soups, pretzels, pizza dough, breakfast sausage, spaghetti sauce, mac-n-cheese, doughnuts, corn dogs, enchilada sauce (this one thanks to my mom!), dill pickles, and even now I make my ranch and taco seasoning by mixing spices together instead of buying the packages.

Although 2 years ago I really thought I knew how to cook because I could make spaghetti by opening a bottle of sauce and adding it to cooked noodles and browned beef...and it was okay like that, but now I have grown to a new level of ability. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn in the kitchen and in life.  

So the funny ending to this story about my growth in the kitchen involves my husband.  Obviously knowing how to cook and making sure dinner is on the table every night was not one of my strong skills in the first years of our marriage, and he was quick to point it out.  But now even he has been fully aware of how much I have grown in this area and gives me some credit.  

On the other hand, I learned early in our marriage that I did not marry a Mr. Fix-It by any stretch of the imagination   I've never been a wife to make a "honey-do list" because I know it would NEVER get done.  BUT...for the past couple weeks our sink was drip-drip-dripping, and yesterday (with the help of a neighbor) Sheraz replaced our sink faucet!  At first seeing him under the sink, I was a little concerned...but I put that aside and said a prayer.  Now I'm even regretting that I didn't take a photo of him getting the job done.  

Later in the day I told him how proud of him I was and questioned his ability and confidence...  His answer?  "Well, you have grown your abilities in the kitchen, so too I am growing my abilities!"  

LOVE THIS MAN!  

Jennifer

The Week I Can't Share...

You know how you look back at the week or last couple weeks and think "Wow, did all that happen in that short amount of time?"  That is how life has been lately. And honestly, most of our happenings are not share-able on my blog...bummer.  But here is what I can share!...

Since my blog is titled "Traveling Motherhood" I do try to share the joys and challenges of what life is like raising a family on the move.  Driving a car is a must to get around as a family in Chiang Mai.  And after over a year of confidently driving around for school, grocery shopping, and everything else I was in my first car (me) motorbike (them) collision.  First off, let me say that nobody was hurt.  Due to the VERY low speed of both of our vehicles, the accident was minimal...but even as minimal as it was, my nerves were really shaken. Then 2 days later was in an "almost" accident, where I was going freeway speed and a car merged onto the freeway and straight over into my lane.  I had to slam on the brakes and horn and pray that we didn't collide.  After this second incident, I have really been shaken up with driving.  But since it is compulsory for me to drive here, I am asking you (yes, if you are reading this...I mean you) to pray for our safety and my driving confidence.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory, that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.   

~ 2 Corinthians 4 v.17-18

Also, I would like to mention how much I miss and love my 3 sisters-in-law (love).  I'm pretty sure they read this blog, so I'm hoping they will see this!  You have been on my heart and in my prayers this week more than I can say.  These amazing women live a life that I along with most all of my American / Western family and friends could not even imagine living.  You are a bright and shining light to your families and your surroundings.  

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

~  Luke 2 v.10

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk 

through the valley of the shadow of death.

I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil,

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

FOREVER.

~ Psalm 23

I Love You Irma, Uzma, and Umbreen!

I miss you terribly, and pray that we will see each other again someday soon!

...The Life of a Traveling Motherhood

Timing is Everything?

Lately I have been reminded of the timing of life and life events.  

During my mom's visit we were awaiting the arrival of my cousins 2nd baby, so there were many phone calls and updates.  My aunt, her mom, was scheduled to fly to be there for there for her delivery.  With her first son she delivered just days before Oma arrived and was really hoping this baby would wait for Oma to arrive.  Well, the end of the story is that they headed to airport to pick up my aunt while having contractions and their bags packed.  Sure enough baby boy waited just until Oma arrived and they headed strait to the birthing center from the airport!  
We were all so thrilled and praised God for His amazing timing!

Now move forward in time a couple weeks to this week that just finished.  My husband has been out of town for schooling and my mom flew back to the US in the same week...leaving me home as a single parent of 3 little ones (who also happen to sick during this week) for 7 days.  Not the ideal situation.  Wishing WE had planned it better, as if we actually have any control of His time.  
This time we were questioning God for his timing...?  

Let me just be honest; this was a hard mom week.  The biggest challenges were saying good-bye to mom and having the girls get sick.  Hope stayed home from school on Tuesday and after a good 1st half of the day, then unfortunately the 2nd half was not so good between us.  That same night after the twins went to bed seemingly healthy, an hour later they were crying with completely stuffy noses.  Let's face it, having twins brings different challenges than having a single.  So I can't pick up 1 baby while the other is still in her bed because the other loses it.  So I tried bringing them both in my bed for cuddles and love, but that didn't really work because they kept each other awake.  They didn't want to take the Tylenol that I offered (which was also weird), couldn't breath through their noses, and just cried in their own bed...whew...what to do?  In the end I brought Hope into my bed so that she could get some sleep and closed the door and let the twins cry it out off and on ALL night / morning...that was a LONG night.

So I had to ask, is this God's good and perfect timing?  Like He had for my cousin?

Of course it is.  Why do I think that?  This is His answer to my questions above.  

The morning after my long night, I drew strength for the day from reading my devotional and opening God's Word.  This ultimately brought me closer in relationship to Him and His work in my life.  Constantly my hearts desire is to draw close to God and learn more about Him and lean on Him for strength instead of my own.  This week I had to do that more than ever.  Just like this my cousins hearts desire was to have her mom with her during the miraculous birth of her child.  God loves and wants to give us our hearts desire, no matter how beautiful or ugly it can come.  

Timing isn't everything, but it is a part of His good and perfect plan.

"Learn to trust Me when things go 'wrong.'  Disruptions to your routine highlight your dependence on Me.  Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweigh them all.  Walk hand in hand with Me through this day.  I have lovingly planned every inch of the way.  Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and steep.  Breathe deep droughts of My Presence, and hold tightly to My hand.  Together we can make it!"

{from: Jesus Calling}

"For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!"  2 Corinthians 4 v.17

I am now happy to say that my husband is back HOME with all his girls!   

PRAISE GOD!

Motorbike Mom!

We are almost 3 weeks in with our visit from my mom in town from the US, so that would explain my lack of keeping up with blogging.

Family visits are so amazing it is almost un-real.  Mom and I were walking through the local Thai market the other day and it was so weird to think "my mom is with me here!"  How many times have I been to this crazy market and thought about how it would be if she or others from home could experience this.

We have been keeping so busy with birthday parties, Christmas cooking, Christmas parties, sightseeing, getting in a few shopping trips, and of course keeping up with 3 fun girls!

As I reflect on these last couple of weeks and see my moms heart to be here with us, I think the best part is her willingness to travel for a painful 24 hours to be outside of her comfort zone and away from her family for the 1st time in her life on Christmas.  As we were Skyping with family on Christmas Eve, it dawned on me that this was her first time away and I very clearly remember my first Christmas away from what a "normal" Christmas was for me.  So this is more memorable for my mom than I think we even realized before her coming here.

Now is the day to reflect on the year that is ending and looking ahead at the year to come.  It is a great time of life to reflect and refresh on life.  Taking a page from a friends blog idea I decided to ask our family what are the highlights of 2012, and here is what we came up with...

This is my wonderful life as a traveling mother!

Happy New Year 2013!

From Miraculous to Magical?

On Friday night our Advent calendar had us watching a Christmas movie and eating a salty bowl of popcorn. The 2 kids movies that I had available were Ice Age Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas.  After watching both short movies with the girls I realized you couldn't get any more different ideas about the meaning of Christmas.

First was Ice Age Christmas, which is a very cute movie and Hope really loves Scrat and his acorn.  Throughout the movie they refer to the magic of Christmas and believing in the magic of Santa.  

Second comes A Charlie Brown Christmas with the famous Charlie Brown searching for the true meaning of Christmas.  Then Linus explains to Charlie Brown using lines quoted from scripture:

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, 

keeping watch over their flocks at night.  

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory 

of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  

But the angel said to them, 

"Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of 

great joy that will be for all the people.  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born 

to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you.  

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying 

in a manger."  

Suddenly a great company of heavenly host 

appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace 

to men on whom his favor rests."  

~ Luke 2 v.8-14

There are so many miracles surrounding the birth of Jesus, Christ the Lord...

     A pregnant virgin, an angel of the Lord appeared, heavenly host appearing, wise men being led by a star and traveling many many miles, and even the situation in which Jesus was born.  We tend to glamorize the idea of the 'manger', but really it was the lowest form of a crib that we wouldn't even imagine putting our child into today.  

It is so wonderful to see our 5 year old truly excited about Christmas because it is the time when we celebrate Jesus' birthday.   Of course there is excitement about presents, she's a kid after all and loves gifts.  The important part to us as parents is for her to understand that ALL of our gifts come from God and not from anything 'magical'.  And she truly gets it and has genuine excitement for all that the Christmas season has in store!

So, how do we change back from magical to miraculous?  Take time this Christmas season to rediscover all the miracles that surround the birthday of Jesus.  How His life relates to your life and the relationship we have with the Son of God!

Beginning of Advent

For the past couple of years, of course since having children, I have been wanting to "do" an advent calendar for the kids.  Well, finally this year I actually got one made before December 1st.  After getting some inspiration from online (yes, Pinterest), and looking at the supplies I already had on hand this is what I came up with...

Advent means a time of preparation and expectant waiting.  This is our time to prepare our home and our hearts to celebrate the birth of 

Jesus, The Savior of the world!  

I'm really looking forward to this special time with our family rediscovering for myself and helping our girls understand 

the many miracles that surround Jesus' birth.  

New to Thanksgiving Cooking...

Since I come from a big family {when I say big, I mean huge...just in blood aunts & uncles I have 20!), usually I just show up maybe with a dip or can of olives and ALL the other food is made.  Until this week I really had no idea what a blessing this was!  
Now that our little family is living away from home, I decided to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal from scratch this year.  After 3 days of prep work and cooking, I now have a much better appreciation for all the hard work that goes into the food that I have eaten over the last 37 years.  

As we sat down to eat our spread we went around to give thanks in our life.  Even though our 3 girls are small now, I look forward to the years to come and what they will choose to be thankful for in life.  This year Hope is thankful for our family and school, Keziah is thankful for her Didi (which is her big sister Hope), and Zarah is thankful for mommy.  

Here is a glimpse of our time together...

What am I thankful for?  Too much to list here, but I think most of all it's that which I didn't even ask for.  The little things and the big things that God has put into my life.  Creating these memories with our family means so much to me and hopefully someday they will be meaningful to them.  

Please visit my other blog Creating Life From Scratch for my recipes.

"Winter" in the 90's...?

So it is "Winter" here in Thailand, but when the temperature is in the 90's I have to put the word winter in quotations.  

Since posting about my quiet controversy last week, I decided to post about something a little less controversial...how blessed I am to be a full-time mom!  Here are some of the highlights from this week.  

After some time of wanting to build a sandbox inside this unused water pond in our yard...I finally stopped at the sand store!

And I am very proud to share that Hope is...

Thankfully this is one of those times in life as a parent where the Lord was watching over and made sure I was ready!  You see, Hope's teacher Ms. West doesn't even tell the parents before hand when students receive this award.   From not wanting to get out of bed that morning, to having my camera with me and then ready.  I thank God that I get the chance to be there for my daughter to share these moments.  

Our reason is obedience.

Let me just start by saying that our family does not "celebrate" halloween.  Now you know what to expect by reading more, but if you are reading this blog then you must care about our family and might be interested in the reason.

Living overseas definitely gives a different perspective on many things in life.  Many of my Australian and British friends are surprised that American Christians actually celebrate halloween.  However, this surprised me that it wasn't more acceptable to them, because it is SO acceptable to participate in halloween activities in our American culture...yes, even Christians.

Okay, so let's go back... I did celebrate halloween as a child, teenager, and young adult as most "normal" American's do.  When I came to know Jesus as my Savior, there were many very drastic changes in my life...halloween was not one of them.  Then came marriage and a baby in a baby carriage!  Like all new parents, we were forced to make decisions about how to raise our children.  So when halloween rolled around the first year, we went to scripture like any "good Christian" would do.  Of course there is no mention of halloween in The Word of God, but there are verses to direct our path in this situation.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..." 

Matthew 6 v.33

"Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.  Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.  Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.  Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." 

Psalm 119 v.33-35, 37.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy.'  Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  For you know that  it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."   1 Peter 1 v.13-19

Of course there are many more verses that could be written here, but I'm guessing you get the point.

To be honest, it is hard for me as a person to not participate because it was a part of how I grew up.  As a parent, we definitely had conviction about spending time celebrating halloween, so for our family our reason for not dressing up our kids, going Trick or Treating, or carving pumpkins into scary faces, etc. on October 31st is obedience to what God has laid on our hearts as we raise children to know Jesus as their Savior.

Also, I want to say that I Am Not Perfect. There are areas in my life that are not in line with scripture that I know of and others I probably am not aware of.  I'm just hoping that if you are reading this you may think twice about what you celebrate and teach your children as a Christian.  I'm not casting stones, just making a point.

I do understand that we as Christians use the halloween holiday to reach out to our communities of non-believers, but that is our job year round.  So have a dress-up party in May and invite the neighbors, or have a bowl of candy by your door year round to give away when visitors come by your house (although for many of us it might empty without visitors ;-)).

This is a quiet controversial topic point, there are many of us quiet Christians who do not participate on October 31st and do not really talk about it.  These are my personal thoughts on the halloween celebrations, and I do apologize if you are offended by my words.

And lastly, one of my favorite Bible verses...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4 v.8-9

This is my life as a Traveling Mother,
Jennifer

P.S.  You are always welcome to post a comment...

Draw Near

Those of you reading who know me well, probably know that I usually have A LOT to say ;-)...yes, I am a talker,  Well, all I can say is that at least I'm aware of it...that's the first step right?  That to say I have started Another Blog that I wanted to let you all know about, and I'm super excited to finally officially announce it...

Creating Life From Scratch

It is still somewhat "under construction", as I continue to add pictures from the past year of our family life.  There is a new post about pumpkins that I recommend to read (especially my fellow Americans).

This last week Hope and Sheraz had a week off of school for the semester break and I wanted to share  from a fun filled week together, as spending time as a family has been sparse for us.  We started off the week by driving home from our visit to Chiang Rai over last weekend, which is a town about 3 hours north of Chiang Mai.  We had been invited to visit by some local YWAMers, and it was great for Sheraz and I to feel right at home as a "YWAM couple".

Our 3 little girls are great car travelers, and this has been a huge blessing for us.

Another thing this week brought was that I finally changed the wallpaper on my computer, and for some reason it was this verse

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

~ James 4 v.8  

After looking at this verse for 5 days, Friday God showed me exactly what it means.  The girls and I ended the week by going to a GREAT pool in the area with some of our play group friends.  

After letting the twins swim for a little bit they mostly stayed on the side with me while we watched Hope slide and swim.  As I was standing there and Keziah was standing near my leg, I could feel her closing in on my leg and eventually in a full on hug of my leg.  I thought to myself, "someone around her must be causing some fear or anxiousness in her little heart for her to want to be so close to mommy.  As I looked over, sure enough there was a strange (to her) lady giving her attention and smiling at her.  In that moment it dawned on me the meaning of this verse in James.  

When we have something in our lives that causes us to be anxious, or for us adults we would feel "stress", that is when we often draw near to God by praying or reading scripture.  Let me tell you how much I adored that feeling of Keziah drawing so close to my leg that NOTHING was going to tear her away.  Even though for her it wasn't an actual enemy, for us many times the devil is "playing" with us to cause us stress.  That is the time we are to "Draw near to God" and hold on tight.  

I really love when God gives me such a real life example of His Word, now that verse has so much more meaning for my life.  

This is my life in the traveling motherhood!

Jennifer

The 1-Year Mark

Can hardly believe I haven't posted since Hope's birthday in August...a little ashamed of my blog neglect.
Started with not feeling like I had anything exciting to post about then it turned into so much time that it has been hard to pick it back up.  But here I am...back at again!

Last week we hit the 1-year mark of arriving here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  With this milestone I thought it would be good to share some "fun-facts" that we have learned since living here.

1.  Don't bother spending any amount of time doing your hair if you plan to ride a motorbike to where you are going.  The helmet ruins your "do", no matter how long or short amount of time you have it on.

2.  The "3-second Rule" for food falling on the floor/ground does NOT apply in Thailand!

3.  Just because the sun is shining and the weather is hot does not mean you are on vacation.  This would be more specific to my Pacific NW readers ;-).

4.  There are more coffee stands in Chiang Mai than there are in the Seattle & surrounding area.  I would bet on it!

And most important I have learned that my family is my team!  God has been so faithful to keep us healthy and provide for all of our basic needs. I will admit, there have been some very hard times during this last year, but God's love is so powerful to get us through the good and the hard.

We look forward to what the upcoming year has in store whether here in Thailand or where ever in the world God directs our path.  Will keep you posted...

This is my life as a traveling mother,
Jennifer

Happy 5th Birthday Hope!

My little girl celebrated her 5th birthday today!  Since Hope just started Grade 1, she will be learning to read and about books having a beginning, middle, and end.  So here's how her day went...

Beginning:

We hung balloons as she slept last night (yes, Hope is that little bump at the head of her bed)

Happy Birthday banner.
Amazing what you can do with just a few craft supplies & of course...Cardboard!

Middle:

Cupcakes ready to go to school for the party.
Hope & I have been watching Cupcake Wars and here is the product of our inspiration ;-)

Hope at school doing her work.

She caught a glimpse of mommy, love this picture of her!

Singing Happy Birthday with all her friends.

Blowing the candles!

YEEEAAAAAAA!

Friends. Eli, Hope, and Abella

More birthday friends; Nong Iy, Janina, Square, Mikey, Jhan

More birthday friends; Phena, Phosa, Kate, Eli, Alize, Angelique

The "boys" and Ms Jenny; Jonas, Spencer, and Oscar

Birthday certificate presented to Hope from Miss West!

Ending: 

And her choice for dinner....McDonalds!
A true American 5 year old in Thailand, Ha Ha.

Playing in the play area at the new McDonalds

Birthday chocolate sundae!

And sisters enjoying Hope's birthday
Keziah was actually pushing the stroller with Zarah cracking up sitting inside.
They brought a little joy to the people sitting around us!

The End

& 

Goodnight!