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

A New Addition!

...TO MY BLOG!  What else were you thinking when you read that? ;-).

I have added a Family Pictures page that I will try to keep updated about once a month or so.  After looking through all the pictures we have taken recently, I just couldn't keep these cute kids faces to myself!

Hope you enjoy!  Click here

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.