The news we've been waiting for has arrived hot off the Air Force assignment desk: staff job in Stuttgart, Germany. We report no later than January 15.
***EDITED to say, yes, that the news is fine although a little surprising. Our first three choices were flying and we just figured we'd be heading to Little Rock . Mr. YH loves flying and he would be instructing which he also likes. Mr. YH told me that the final two choices were hastily entered because he was pretty sure the first two were outrageous and he'd get the one he wanted, so he entered two equally outrageous (meaning a good deal here) assignments, thinking they were space fillers on this form. I had forgotten what he even put for those, so when he called home yesterday, it kind of took my breath away! No, he won't be flying and this keeps him on a track he was trying to get off, so all I can say is the Lord has plans. We're thinking that we'll pack out (the earlier the better) in December, ship the van, and start our flight witih a stop in the midwest to take some leave to visit family before we continue on to Germanay. We'll be gone 3 years. We'll be close to Ukraine, so I am excited to go back and visit friends. The children are already talking about learning German and I suspect one little girl in particular will have Heidi out this afternoon! The cool thing about this is that the blog goes with me. And so do yours. Usually, when we move, it's an out of sight, out of mind type of situation, so I am looking foward to this experience of taking the blogettes with me!
Ladies, your "how we met stories" were fantastic! I loved them, and thank you for participating!
This week you have the opportunity to tell us all about your first date with the man who became (or will become) your husband. And if you're single and just have a first date that didn't end in marriage, feel free to share, too! I decided that next week we'll have a "filler" post for any of those relational details between first dates and the proposal (my story needs one and since it's my blog, I figured that would be legal!).
When we left Mr. Yellow Hat and myself, we had arrived at Cedarville College for our freshman year and had met in band. After heart to heart talks on a band bus, the big reveal was made: Mr. YH had a girlfriend. {Who comes to college attached??!!?} Well, apparently, that thought also crossed the mind of said YH girlfriend and she broke up with him not long after.
Gosh. That was too bad. Muhahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I did let him do the pursuing. He invited me to a Michael Card concert.
He walked over to my dorm to pick me up and we walked to the chapel for the concert. Look at that hair- Sally Brown bangs and all. Get a load of those pegged pants- seriously! Where were my fashion police!?!??! Probably taking the photo. Gracious!
Willets Hall Lobby (because that's as far as the guys could go!)
October 31, 1991
All I have written in the scrapbook is that after the concert we got some ice cream at a little place across the street from campus called Mom and Dad's and then sat outside and talked. At the end of the date, I got a hug. I think we became "official" after Thanksgiving break.
We dated (meaning BF/GF) on and off for three years.
Chuck E. Cheese
Dining Out 1992 (recycled prom dress; my matron of honor and I met this night- we wore the same color dress!)
Dining Out 1993 (notice Willets Lobby had a make-over)
We broke up for good in our junior year and talked only occassionally our senior year. I graduated (Mr. YH went for the 5-year plan) and headed to Atlanta to get my masters degree in music at Georgia State and to leave that Mr. Yellow Hat in my past where. he. belonged.
** Don't forget about the Yellow Hat Carnival on Wednesday. This week's theme, "First Date."
There’s a birthday this week inside the Yellow Hat which reminded me of some other birthday celebrations we had while we were in Ukraine.
I’ve mentioned, Sveta, our housekeeper previously, and soon, soon, I’ll do a post exclusively on her.In the meantime, I’ll tell you that she was about 36 when we hired her, and her life gave us fascinating insight into the life of the average Soviet person.When we moved to Kyiv in 2003, the USSR had been dissolved for about 12 years. Sveta was a single mother to two young children when Ukraine gained her independence.Occasionally, she’d have enough money to buy an egg, but, she assured us, it always went to the children.Times were tough- nothing most Americans can even begin to comprehend.
Sveta started working for us in September 2003.She cleaned and watched Big Girl while I continued my language lessons twice a week (I went to language training with Mr. YH in D.C. and the foundation gave a grant to spouses to continue language training in country).Both Sveta and Tetiana, my language teacher, endeared themselves to us very quickly.So when I found out that Sveta’s birthday was in January, I planned a surprise party for her before we left for our trip to Egypt.
I love surprises!I try to listen to and make note of the things that people enjoy, want, or need so I know what would make great gifts later on- it’s so fun! And I was delighted to plan a little celebration for someone that I knew had made a lot of sacrifices in her life on behalf of others.One afternoon during my language lesson, I sent Sveta out to run an errand- I may have even had her go buy the ice cream!I had made some brownies so I could make brownie sundaes.We blew up some balloons and then brought her into the kitchen for the big “Sue-preeze!”Stunned about sums it up.She told us nothing like this had ever happened to her in her life (neither had that horrible haircut I had gotten...a memory for another time!).
Later, Yuri, her husband talked to us on the phone and thanked us for doing this for her.He said her eyes were as big as 5 kopecks (the largest coin in their currency) when she retold the afternoon’s events.
The following year, we told Sveta and Tetiana that we were going to go out for a little celebration and each of them thought it was to give them a chance to celebrate Big Girl’s January birthday with them before we went on our trip to Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece.We went down into the metro, through the doors that led to the underground mall, and wove our way through the labyrinth of hallways until we came out a mile or so away at the central market where I bought our fresh produce.Not far from there was TGIF’s and we got situated in a back booth.This in itself was very exciting because this was only the second time in her life that Sveta had eaten in a restaurant (the first being with us, too).We ordered drinks and then I spoke with the waiter to arrange for the birthday desserts.Even in Ukraine, they came out as a group, carrying the desserts and singing.Sveta and Tetiana watched, amused, and completely clueless that it was for them until the desserts were set down in front of each of them!You'll hear us telling them, "no, it's for you!"
This year, we were prepared with gifts.I always had a crystal bud vase on the kitchen table with a single rose in it (there was a flower stand on the corner outside our building and I could get them for a dollar or so-I love the smell of non-florist roses and the fact that they always open!).Tetiana always commented on them, so I bought her a bud vase and gave her some hryvnia to buy herself a rose on the way home.We gave Sveta a Beatles CD which utterly delighted her.She couldn’t figure out how we knew she liked them, and we reminded her of a conversation she’d had with Mr. YH some time before; we had immediately ordered a CD to have on hand to give to her.When we parted ways that afternoon on the street, it seemed to me that years had been erased from their faces as they linked arms and walked down the main street of the city, smiling, talking, and laughing like school girls…I’ll treasure that vision forever.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.Proverbs 3:27
I don't like having garage sales. One reason is that I am not a pack-rat, and I am constantly getting rid of things through our military thrift shops or on Craig's List and Ebay. But since our little town was having a fund-raising event by means of doing all the advertising for a town-wide garage sale, I decided I'd participate and see what else I could unload on these unsuspecting Californians. So here was the scene in my garage yesterday morning. Mr. Yellow Hat brought me breakfast while I managed shop. I read a little and did a little planning for the week. And then I just couldn't take sitting there any longer, so I brought the ironing board out while people shopped. Multi-tasking at its finest! In the end, I did make enough between the sale and an Ebay sale to pay for those upcoming family portraits on the beach!
1. When people don't use their blinkers. Grr. 2. Snakes. They give me the eebie- jeebies. 3. Peas. I think it's the texture. I do make my kids eat them. I know- hypocrite. 4. When dishes are left piled in the sink to "soak" and aren't put into the dishwasher that is right next to the sink!! 5. Blog security codes. I get the point, really. But I get so frustrated when they appear in a funky way and I can't tell if it's a d or a c and an l close together!
****EDITED to add #6: Having a garage sale. Against my better judgment, I am participating in our townwide sale this morning. My garage shop is set-up and I having been praying over these baby clothes and gear because we are so done. And I don't want to move them in December. And I found a photographer for our family pictures. How awesome would it be to get rid of stuff and pay for those photos?!
Head over to Jean's to join her party! Take some time to check out her blog and her ministry!
Mr. and Mrs. W and Mr. and Mrs. G are pleased to share with you the marriage of their children TaraandMr. Yellow Hat
Saturday, October 28, 2000 First Baptist Church Worship Center
My flower girl, Abby, wore a dress that matched mine.
My girls wore black because it is one of my favorite colors. I think it is simply classy. And truly, they all wore those dresses again.
These girls are my dearest friends; all but one were from my Cedarville days and my junior bridesmaid was my little next-door neighbor.
Ready!!
I played in the church orchestra for 5 years. When an orchestra member marries, the group will play for the wedding if desired. It was beautiful and more than I could have ever hoped for! They began playing about 30 minutes prior to the wedding and throughout the seating of the grandparents and mothers. I chose "Beautiful Savior" (arr. Winkler) which is a rendition of Fairest Lord Jesus as the processional for the entire wedding party and myself; I had our party walk in as couples. It begins with chimes and then adds a section at a time with a transition (doors closed) that led up to a very huge climax where the full orchestra plays and the doors were thrown open for me! (That's all for SJM; you've never seen these photos, have you?! )
The ceremony:
if you click on this to enlarge it, you'll be able to see ( I hope!) how beautiful they lit the cross up that day as well as the orchestra behind the candles. Part of our ceremony included communion and the lighting of the unity candle; one of Mr. YH's sisters sang "How Beautiful" when all of that was going on.
The recessional was an arrangment of "All Hail the Power with Trumpet Voluntary"
WOO-HOO!!!!
My parents and younger brothers.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing memories of one of the most precious days in my life! Head over to Kelly's to see more wedding photos.
**I'm adding one more thing! My mom got thisfor us on our first anniversary and it's been so fun to sit down each year and go over the events. We record spiritual markers, special happenings, and what we did to celebrate each year. I really like it because it's low-maintenance scrapbooking- one photo and it just slips in! ha! [We also have the Christmas memory book.]
Which of the following did not take place at the Yellow Hat household Tuesday?
My children played together in the most delightful manner.
The bathroom was cleaned.
I had a fruitful practice session in preparation for a solo next month.
We took another trip to the local E.R.
I had chocolate and mint chocolate chip ice cream in my cute little trifle dishes with one of my ice cream shovels that makes me happy.
If you chose option # 3 you get an A.
So, yes, the kids did not come tattling to me one single time the entire morning and they returned to the pretending as soon as they were excused from the table at lunch time.Because of this wonderful scenario, I felt motivated to clean the master bath.And I ironed.I did not get to practice because The Boy was sent to the bathroom to wash his hands after eating a Clementine at dinner, and he chose that time to practice his jumping skills on the step stool, falling and cutting his chin open on the counter.Hence, a third visit to the E.R. with the third child in three weeks’ time.Tricare is going to hate us, and please, Lord, do not let child services show up at my door.But the E.R. staff is still fantastic and we’re becoming great friends. Two hours later, a little glue, warnings from me that he must not try to glue his or his sister's faces at home, a Spiderman band-aid, and we were good to go.And because I worked out that morning harder than I had in a week and I had to revamp my evening plans, I felt like I deserved a smidgen of self-indulgence.
***Updated April 23, 2010......... Thanks for stopping by from Kelly's Show Us Your Life. She had the wedding series going last year and I was dying to know all of the details of how my bloggy friends had met their true loves, so we had a little fun sharing. I had always told God that I wanted a good story; the older I get, the more I realize that every story is a good one. Can't wait to read yours!***
Welcome to the first Yellow Hat blog carnival! I want to know the details behind your wedding photos which Kelly will have you post this Friday. I'm a bit behind, but we'll make it work! This week, the theme is "How We Met." Tell us how you and your husband initially met. If you aren't married, please feel free to share a real-life love story of a friend or family member.
Next week's theme is "first date!"
I can't wait to read all of your stories! (And pleeeeeease!!! don't leave me linkless!!!)
It's just going to be one big bloggylove fest!
This is my senior picture and
what I looked like when I went off to college.
Here is Mr. Yellow Hat screaming 1991 just as much as I was.
In September 1991, my parents and I loaded up in my dad's truck and drove from Wisconsin to Ohio where I would attend Cedarville College. As one last form of torture before I left their home, I was forced to listen to country music the entire way out there.
During the first week of classes, we had auditions for the various ensembles in the music department. Since I was enrolled as a music major, my participation was a given. As we all warmed up down in Alfred Annex, I was, of course, checking out the other players (their abilities, not their looks because trumpet player vying for good parts trumped any female emotions I might have had at that time). Mr. Yellow Hat was there warming up on his trumpet. Honestly, I don't remember much more than that.
At Cedarville, we attended chapel daily at 10 a.m. Mr. Yellow Hat and his roommate sat near us one day that first week (September 24, 1991 to be exact), and I do know that at that point I thought he was prettygood looking. Very early into that first quarter, we had a band retreat away from campus and we sat next to each other on the way up and back.DRAT! if he didn't have a girlfriend from home who was at school in Texas! I had to settle for the position of "friend" (temporarily- muhaha ha!! Just kidding! I waited...).
So there you have it- Mr. Yellow Hat and I were BanD GeeKs together and that's how we met.
From the time Big Girl was little, I began making up special "holidays" and part of the fun was having food that went along with the theme. It is tradition now to have pancakes on the morning of these celebrations that are in fun shapes. The picture here was from our (now) annual Cold Day (it didn't snow in NC!) . You can buy pancake molds or the large copper cookie cutters work quite well, too. And until you have little ones of your own to impress, good 'ole circle pancakes taste just as good!
Polar Bears, mittens, and snowmen (2008); we added snowflakes this year- turns out there is no snow in our part of CA either!
Basic Pancakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 T. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 beaten egg
1 cup milk
2 T. cooking oil
1/2 t. vanilla
1. In a medium mixing bowl stir together the flour, sugar baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and set aside. (You can also make this ahead of time and bag it until you're ready to use it.)
2. In another small mixing bowl, combine the egg, milk, cooking oil, and vanilla. Add egg mixture all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).
3. For standard-sized pancakes, our about 1/4 cup batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or skillet. Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes (or until the bubbles all pop) and flip to cook other side. Makes 8-10.
Big Girl was born in January 2003. We left for 2 years in Ukraine the first week of July.
Grandbaby moving overseas = sad, sad times for the grandparents!
I tried my best to make sure she knew who our family members were. We had a bookshelf in our apartment that was near Big Girl's room, and I had a framed photo of my parents sitting on one of the shelves. Between us and Sveta, we'd point them out and tell her in Ukrainian that those people were "Babyca /bah-boo'-see-ya/ and Didyc /dee-doos'/." (Grandma and Grandpa)
In June 2004, when Big Girl was about 18 months old, my parents took their first overseas trip to come and see us. Yuri, Sveta's husband, was our driver and picked them up at the airport.
When they walked into the living room, Big Girl was unsure of who these people were (my dad is very tall, too- 6'4"), so Sveta and I pointed to the photo and told her this is Baba and Didyc. The wheels were turning as she looked at the photo, looked at my parents, back to the photo, back to my parents- several times she did this and it was as if she were trying to figure out how they got out of that picture and were now in the room alive! She warmed up quickly, and we had fun showing them the country.
Sofiyvski Park
Botanical Gardens in Kyiv with Dneiper River in background
We flew on an old Soviet plane (that started smoking in flight- that made Mr. YH nervous since he is a pilot himself...he asked and the steward assured him it was normal... I'm writing this 5 years later, so you know we're fine) to Odessa for a few days. I had to put this photo in because it is so my dad- he had his GPS out to see if it registered "sea level." I'm not sure what he would have done had it not. We've always enjoyed having Baba come to visit. As I mentioned before, we arranged for her to spend 2 weeks out here in California with us as part of her 60th birthday gift. She hardly walked in the door before the kids had her set up in their current make-believe:
While she was here, there was a lot of playing, a trip to Cannery Row, a slumber party in The Boy's room,
exploring and picnics at Point Lobos,
and a walk along the Coast Guard pier to see some sea lions.
Birthday parties in the Yellow Hat household are abig deal. The children, sometimes with guidance, choose their theme and I make their cakes- not always the most polished looking creations, but the kids love them and their memories are what count. Big Girl loves games and even when I suggested doing a party at a local gym, she turned me down because she just likes a good, old-fashioned party. There are more details about the Hello Kitty and Digger parties below, but as I was putting in pictures, I decided to add more from years past.
Nostalgia.
Wow- they do grow up so fast!!
(You can click on all photos to enlarge them if you wish.)
Baby Girl's 1st birthday was our most recent party. It was a cupcake theme, and if you'd like more details, you can go here and here for details about where I bought some of the items.
Butterfly- 1st Nope, that's not Baby Girl, it's Big Girl. We celebrated in Ukraine.
Miss Pattycake- 2nd
Pooh- 3rd
I bought Halloween buckets and painted them, wrote "HUNNY" on them, and we had a bean bag toss game.
Strawberry Shortcake- 4th
Hello Kitty- 5th
I bought the pink shirt at Old Navy and my friend did the Hello Kitty on the front. I made the hair bow to match.
We filled the treat bags with HK items that my friend sent me from the Japanese 100 yen store.
The kids' babysitters made the giant HK for me. We took pictures when they first arrived and ordered a copy of each to use on the thank you cards we made.
Pin the bow on HK. Winner got a hair bow like the Birthday Girl's.
How many flowers can you pick? I wrote about this game here.
We had yarn going all over the backyard and the kids were paired up to wind their strand into a ball and get it back into the basket. There was a lot of screaming and excitement as they neared the end!
Flower- 6th
Mr. YH buys the girls roses on their birthdays- yellow for Big Girl, pink for Baby Girl.
Baby Einstein- 1st
Thomas- 2nd Our invitations were "train tickets."
Diggers-3rd
I got the orange cone candles online- they were my favorite part!
Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with the Yellow Hats!
