All I Want for Christmas...

is my one front tooth!

Pomp and Circumstance

Last night at about 9 p.m. PST, Mr. YH typed the last word of his last paper and hit send. This morning, Big Girl and I headed over to the Naval Postgraduate School with him to attend the graduation ceremony.

The Processional- the Marines have the classiest uniforms!
(Shout out to Melissa and her Marine on the East coast!)

I guess if you earned a doctorate,
you should be able to wear any hat you want.

I don't want to take anything away
from the hard work all of these people put in,
but can you pick out the {crooked} rows of civilians graduating?!

{I would like to say something. I think that if you are an American citizen, then it should be required that one sing when the National Anthem of the United States of America is playing (there are some exceptions like if someone is singing it for you live). Ok, moving right along.}

Admiral Mauz (USN, retired) gave
the best graduation speech I've ever heard.

Here is my airman!

Mr. YH graduated with a Master of Arts in
Homeland Security and Defense Studies.
He graduated with distinction and had an "outstanding thesis."
{Not bad since he was assigned this degree!
He'd really rather be up flying his Herk, though!}

Afterward, we headed over to Herrmann Hall for a reception in the ballroom. This used to be the old Del Monte Hotel. The two wings have temporary housing quarters for us to stay in when we are moving in or out of the area. We'll be there again in a few weeks.

A group of guys in an accountability group Mr. YH met with weekly.

Now, we have some real down time before we pack up!!

And, I'm not cooking tonight!

Yellow Hat Premiere! Carjacked on Christmas Eve!

Finally!!
Here it is: the story you've
all been on the edge
of your seats waiting to hear.
{Just pretend that you were, ok?!}

If you've been reading for a while, you'll remember that I was dating a nice young man whose mother I adored and then he broke up with me, and I was devastated {because I really liked his mother. In fact, I just talked to her the other night for an hour and a half.}. So, anyway- the time after that relationship ended was time that God was teaching me a great deal about Him, about myself, about my identity in Him. I had the opportunity to go to Ukraine on a missions trip in May 1999. I wanted to go again that year (in part, to determine whether the Lord was calling me away from teaching to missions), but I could not take time off from my teaching job, so I planned to go alone (without an American team) over my Christmas break.

December 1999

I landed in Kyiv in the middle of December and was picked up by my friends Sergey and Ira Gladishko. Sergey is the head of the Slavic Gospel Association's Regional Ministry Center for Ukraine. It is now located in Irpen, just outside Kyiv. I stayed with the Gladishko family- Anna was about 13 at the time, and Alona and Masha were 7 years old. They spoke limited English, and I knew even less Russian, but while at their home itself, we made it work without a translator.


While in-country, I simply played and shared words of testimony wherever Sergey and a team of Ukrainians went: a children's hospital, the twins' school, churches,

in a prison church
in Cherkacy.

An orphanage.

For village pastors picking up Christmas

boxes of gifts for their congregations at the RMC.

I believe it was that day that I got
food poisoning from the bortsch.
Sick as a dog is an understatement.

On Christmas Eve, I played in a church in Kyiv. On the way home, Ira wanted to stop at a little store not far from their home to get a torte for me to try. It was late, and because it was winter, Sergey left the car running while they ran in to pick out the sweets. The girls were in the back, and I was in the front passenger seat {they always insisted that I ride there} with my gig bag and purse on my lap ( I had taken off my little pouch I wore with my money and passport because we were going right home and tucked it in my bag). The heat and late hour had us in a sleepy sort of trance.

Soon, I was aroused by a rush of cold air as the door opened and I saw Sergey's navy blue jacket... good- we were ready to go, but as he turned to begin driving I realize that this was not Sergey! Everything seemed to happen so fast. I tried to open the door so I could yell for help, but the door stuck {like it always did!}. It finally opened, but we were already moving and going too fast for me to jump out- and the three little ones were in the back, hysterical. As we rounded a corner, my purse slid off my lap and out the door before I could catch it and get the door shut again. I don't remember much else except I could tell we were headed toward the main roads and I didn't want to get far from that little store; I grabbed at the wheel trying to make him run off the road into a snowbank. I then began hitting this man, and yelling in my {extremely} limited Russian that I was an American and to STOP {that word, with a little different vowel pronunciation, is universal}!!

This is a weird thing- as I was yelling, it was like I was able to hear myself and think at the same time, "Wow! I sound really vicious!!" Not taking any more nano-seconds to dwell on my new found voice, I yanked the stick shift out of gear. He finally stopped, turned and looked at me and asked, "Do you want me to stop?" I thought, what an absolutely stupid question, but I answered in Russian "Da!!" He stopped, got out, and walked away.

The girls were screaming and crying. I was running on adrenaline. I did not know how to drive a stick shift, so I took the keys, grabbed Sergey's briefcase, and took the girls. We ran back to the store where we found Ira and Sergey waiting for us. They thought I had moved the car around the corner as a joke, but as they began to piece things together from our accounts, Ira fainted right there in the store.

My purse was nowhere to be found; some babushka must have walked by and grabbed it and kept going. Not a big deal - except- my passport was in it. The police were called. There were a lot of people who were standing outside, and one was willing to come inside to give a statement. ONE. This was a neighborhood store, so I can almost guarantee that someone knew something. Welcome to "it's only 8 years after communism in a former republic of the USSR."

We ended up going to the nearest police station where it seemed we sat for hours. Poor Masha had wet her pants. Sergey and Ira talked with the policeman, and I sat there. I did not know the language, and I had no translator. So I prayed and prayed. I prayed that somehow God would burden people back in the States to pray for me.

"At the beginning of your supplications, the command went out...." (Daniel 9:23)

Finally, we went home. We didn't celebrate much, and the torte didn't seem nearly so festive.

I then had to start the process of getting a new passport and visa. I had to have a statement from the police to take to the embassy. Sergey and I sat in another little room. It was dark except for one dim bulb hanging from the ceiling. There was one desk and an old typewriter on it that the officer used to type up this form. Essentially, it said my passport "walked away." As in, on its own. Whatever. When I was at the embassy getting my new passport, I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be an American and have access to that building. Stop and chew on that for a few minutes.

Out for pizza.

SGA Christmas Party

St. Michael's in Kyiv

Suffice it to say, that when my new documents were put together, I was ready to go home. EXCEPT...one of the biggest snowstorms to come through Europe in years- I mean, years, people!- came through the night before I was to fly out. I prayed and prayed and prayed God would make a way to leave. Sergey shoveled his driveway, his road, and part of another road so he could get me to the airport.

Once I got to Borispol, the upstairs was dark except for the natural light coming in through the windows of that very gray morning. It was questionable whether any flights would be going out. I prayed again and just asked God to bring me someone who spoke English. Some guy- I can't remember if he was Canadian or American- doesn't matter- came along and was an instant friend. He shared my native tongue and that brought a lot of comfort in a stressful situation. Finally, we got out, and as we flew through the clouds into blue sky, I was relieved. {Deep breath.}

When I got home and began talking to people, I can't tell you how many asked me, "Tara, what time was it that you prayed- because I could not get you out of my mind!" Do I even need to write that the timing was exactly when I asked the Lord to burden people with my need? Praise Almighty God, huh?!

Mr. YH and I got married in 2000. Shortly after that, the pastor that led the first trip I had gone on wrote me and asked me to seriously consider going on another trip. We prayed about it, but felt God was saying no at that time. Then the Olmsted came up {how we got that is another act of God!} and we were assigned to... Kyiv, Ukraine! We were there from 2003-2005. And now we're ready to embark again {another amazing God thing!!}.

So that's it-
my most memorable Christmas-
hands down-
E.V.E.R.

And because this was the longest
post known to mankind,
you will probably not
hear from me the rest of the week!

I'm linking this to True Story Tuesday.

'Tis the Season...

{at least in our house}

...to {strategically} place
a little bit
of holiday cheer
around the place.

After all, we are a military family...

and we're at war.

Come a little closer, my pretty!

And that's why these lovely treats
in one of my favorite candy dishes
are F.A.K.E.

It's a {TEA} Party!

Just one week after The Boy's birthday party, we held Big Girl's birthday tea party. Her birthday is actually in January, but we were (and still are) going to be in the middle of packing and getting ready to leave CA, so I told her she could have a party with her friends before we left.

December 1, 2009

My Granny made this tea set for me years ago.
She even wrote a note telling me that one
day I could give it to my own daughter.

I had a tiny apothecary jar filled with little mints.
The girls guessed how many were inside,
and the girl closest to the correct answer got to take it home.

BINGO
We used pink jelly bellies as markers.
Prizes were Christmas ornaments-
crystal hearts and little tea cups.

I baked the cupcakes
right into the tea cups.
I did a trial run with one
because it made me so nervous!
The tea cup and saucer were the take home gifts.
Because the portions were so big, we just put
saran wrap over the leftovers and tucked them into the
little bags with some hot chocolate and Ghirardelli chocolate
to enjoy at home. I was supposed to have demitasse
spoons, too, but they have not yet arrived from my
friend in Japan!

We used the placemats to play a version of musical chairs.
The music, of course, was "I'm a Little Teapot!"

De-cluttering

I have a lot of extra stuff in my head right now. I'm in need of a little decluttering, and you sweet bloggy friends, get the brunt of it privilege of hearing what's been on my mind! {If you're the one male reader that I know of that possibly reads my blog, stop now. Really. Just click your back button and come back tomorrow.}

1. Now that I am a year out from being D.O.N.E. with breastfeeding for my entire life (woo-hoo!!!), I was in need of some new, ahem, undergarments because it seems my size changes after every baby. I liked my post-Boy size best. I bought some at the outlets that seemed like they were going to work. Washed them and had buyer's remorse. So I humbled myself and went to Soma and requested a fitting. From a. complete. stranger. Let's all just rejoice that I walked out with a good fitting and they washed well! I'm buying a bunch up before I leave the country and before they get rid of "Tracey."
   
2. Victoria's Secret had some great undies back when I got married 9 years ago that I loved. I wish companies would just stop trying to improve on what I like.
3. Seeing that it was 9 years ago, I obviously was in need a couple of years ago for some new undies and Mr. YH shook his head "no." As in no, those need to go. But finding the right replacement is so hard! Can anyone feel my pain?!? I've purchased the 5 for deals, worn a pair, washed them to see how they'd do and then returned the other four. So while I was in Soma, I was directed to the piles of undies that were on sale. And girls, have you seen these?! This gel type of stuff heats up against your skin and kind of seals the undies to you so that you don't get a wedgie {did anyone call them creepers in jr. high?!}. I was skeptical, but I am so serious- they worked!! And they washed well! And I was excited that I got a good deal on them! And oh yes! Mr. YH gave me the once over and approved!
4. Not only was I fortunate enough to find 5 pairs there, but Gap had a "5 for" deal and those did me right! I'm going to leave the US of A a happy girl.
5. This may be a CA thing, but people- especially down in trendy Carmel- like to take their little tiny dogs with them everywhere. I don't really have anything against dogs, but I could do without them coming into my dressing room while I'm trying on bras!!
6. I've been whining about my hair for weeks and finally got into see Ashley a week ago. She just opened up a little shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea called Salon Medusa. I realize the name may dissuade you, but she does a fantastic job- no fears. It was a beautiful day, and all aforementioned dog owners were out in droves, wandering in and out of the galleries and high end shops of this quaint little town. I was walking quickly and walked by a woman with her little precious and saw her with this: I won't tell you what Mr. YH says. All I'm going to say is SERIOUSLY!!!!!!
   
7. I went to Kohl's the night before Thanksgiving to stock up on some shirts for The Boy. I left a happy woman: I got him a bunch of shirts {he'll be wearing the same one in different sizes the next few years!} on the clearance rack for $4 and had an additional 15% off. While there, I tried on some pants for myself. Found a cute pair of dressier pants and a pair of jeans. I've been back down to my pre-pregnancy size for some time, so I was pleased that the pants were a size down from that! But the jeans were a size up! Is that not just stupid? If I didn't love shopping so much, I'd never go again because it can be so discouraging trying to find clothing that fits. Anyway, I truly am pleased to have found some things for myself and honestly, the sizes don't bother me too much.
8. When I was trying on the jeans, I looked in the mirror and almost squealed with joy because they looked good!! And then I turned around and deflated a bit. They weren't awful by any means, but I'm telling you- the pocket placement is so important and I was suddenly thrust into the land of doubt. And I had no one with me to give me an opinion. Do you know what I did? I waited for a mother and daughter to get done in the room next to me and I accosted them to ask for their opinion. Please tell me I am not the only one who does this!!!
9. My doctor wanted me to get a blood panel done the last time I saw her just to check levels. I got the results yesterday and I did squeal for joy because down by the box that said "your results are normal," she wrote in "outstanding!" I felt like I got an A+!!!
   
10. Here is my new sofa and chair. Still no pillows because I don't know what I want. Suggestions on where I can find some nice options? I think I can go with a pattern- not too obnoxious- because the housing should have neutral carpeting.
11. Here is the finished dollhouse bookcase. We need a few more accessories- liek those cute suitcases from Land of Nod. The teapot has no lid because we took it so Baby Girl would not lose it.
12. We bought a tree on Saturday- here it is, all lit up {can you feel the ambiance coming through the screen?}. I should have taken my camera so you could have seen us standing in the BX (base exchange) looking at the boxes- there were none on display! As I mentioned in the last post, it'll be much easier to take this with us than to get a Charlie Brown one in Kyiv {even though we know which metro stop they're at and we'd remember to take a tree stand this time- I'll tell that story next week}.
    

If you made it to the end, you are an absolute dear!! Thanks for listening- now leave me a comment and tell me I'm not the only insane lady in a dressing room!

Looking on the Bright Side

I'm thrilled that I could relax a little this weekend instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off, prepping for packers that were to arrive in a matter of hours to take the things we are putting in storage during our time overseas (like my washer and dryer!). We're SO thankful God allowed this all to come together last week so that we didn't have things packed and then find out we'd be staying a few extra weeks.


I had intended on telling the car jacking story yesterday as it was Monday and it'd be a good memory. But I don't have time to scan photos, so I'll do that later. Instead, I'll share some of the positives about this assignment. Several people we've told thought we'd be disappointed, but really, I think we're relieved!

• We've been to Ukraine before. We know the language, we know the culture, we know our way around, etc. We're excited to jump back in and continue some of those relationships that we began- what a blessing. Please, please, pray for Vova and Lyosha especially. We'd love for them to know the Lord personally.

• I was not looking forward to learning German; I just didn't feel like I had the room in my brain to add that. And I felt obligated- I mean, what a horrible {home schooling} mom I'd be to not let my kids have the opportunity during the 3 years we would have been there. It would have just made sense for me to learn, too. So, WHEW!! I'll just brush up my Ukrainian!
  
• We'll probably have bigger and better housing. State Dept. housing is very nice in Kyiv. We'll have more support than when we were on the Olmsted scholarship- appliances already supplied and the place suited more to American cultural standards (closets, if I'm lucky!).
• Mr. YH is much more excited about this job than the other. When Daddy loves his job, it makes things much easier all around!
• This is a 2 year tour and then Mr. YH must go back to flying; Germany was three years. Very exciting! {At that point, we'll have 4 years of service left until Mr. YH's 20; we'll be 42, and he'll have to decide what he wants to be when he grows up. Trust me when I say I am already praying about this- for a variety of reasons! ha!}
  
• This assignment is in the same category as other "remotes" which means, for example, that if someone is needed in Afghanistan for a year {families don't tag along}, Mr. YH will be at the bottom of the list because of this "short tour." In other words, he has a much less likely chance of getting pulled for a year long deployment while we're at home. That, ladies, is very good!
• I know what to take. Germany would have been fine- it's a huge American base. But I was a little unsure {despite getting floor plans of possible housing we'd be assigned} what furniture to send. I've been there, done that to Ukraine and so I know what consumables to send {we get to ship 1250 lbs. of groceries in addition to our household goods; this is wonderful because Mr. YH has a gluten allergy and I'll need to send things for him as well as maple syrup because we like our pancakes!}, I know the climate, I know what is expensive and what I can or can not buy on the economy, and I know that it is much easier to take an artificial tree along rather than wait until the end of December when they start selling trees and having to bring it home on the metro {a very socially acceptable practice, by the way}.
• I personally think that the mail privileges are better. We'll be on diplomatic pouch which means our address looks like a stateside address, but everything is delivered to a major airport and brought over to the embassy for us to pick up at the mail room. No messing with FPO/APO customs forms and companies that don't ship to those addresses.
• I can afford a housekeeper.
• Yes, Brandi, it'll be fun for Big Girl to see her old stomping grounds and have them more cemented in her memory! I am excited to revisit some of my favorite places- St. Sofia's Cathedral, the Botanical Gardens, even Tsum, the central department store (did I tell you guys about the lady going potty in the stairwell there?)
  
• Lots of services will deliver- I'm hoping Ira is still cutting hair for $5 or so in homes & I'd love to find that ballerina from the Nat'l Ballet company to come give Big Girl lessons. I'm hoping to find a {safe} gym for Big Girl to continue her gymnastics, too (we'd have to travel for that).
• And truly, the #1 reason this is such a positive for us is that God clearly wants us there, so I desire no other place to be!