I'm Going to Miss Sights Like This

We went down to the little beach near the Coast Guard pier late this afternoon to try to get a nice photo for Christmas cards. The sunset was really pretty. I tried out my ultra-zoom lens.

A little farther down the shore-
can you see the bird
standing on the kelp?
(click to enlarge)

I'll Take Whatever Prayers You Offer!

Hi Blogettes-

I hope you had a blessed holiday and have enjoyed relaxing, shopping- whatever this weekend finds you doing!

My stress level is creeping up there. We're to begin packing a week from Monday. We are still waiting to find out if we have a change of country. The percentage went from next to nothing to over 50% chance that it will happen. Lots will change if we are assigned to Kyiv, Ukraine. Anyway, please pray that we get a clear answer early in the week so I can either stress about packing and prepping for the packers or I can stress about starting the medical clearance/official passports/etc. process all over. Thanks, girls!

Isaiah 26:3

Monday's Memories- Except it's Thursday

During our time in Ukraine, we truly wanted to spend time with the Ukrainians to get to know them and their culture and for them to be able to understand ours a little better, too. The first big holiday we celebrated was Thanksgiving. Here are a few snippets from the e-mails I used to send out to family and friends. {I'm really up and coming now that I have a blog!}

This first one describes my trip to the market to pick up my turkey (the market was probably 1/2-3/4 of a mile away). I had gone several weeks earlier with my housekeeper to order the bird, and we had agreed that I wanted her to hand it to me without feathers, without guts, etc. And no, I really did not need to see her kill it in person...

Turkey Talk

My painstaking measures to make sure that the turkey lady and I were in complete understanding proved that once again, Ukrainians do not understand Ukrainian very well. Mr. YH asked me if I wanted him to go along to the market to carry the turkey home for me, and I declined, saying that if I could carry a 20 pound baby, I could handle a 12 pound bird. When I arrived Vala reached underneath the counter and proudly plopped two large birds up there for me to look at (sorry, no pictures because she had kindly chopped their necks off ahead of time!). I looked and then pointed and said, I’ll take this one. Looking somewhat in shock and confused, she asked why I was only taking one when I had ordered two 6 kg birds. I didn’t order two 6 kg birds, I said- I repeated that I needed a total of 6 kg, and if she needed to kill two birds to equal 6, that was fine since my oven is so small. She was certain I had ordered two birds and seemed a little worried because she hadn’t sold one of them because she had kept if for me. I ended up telling her that if I said that I would take two birds, I would take them and could find someone to give one of them to; my testimony was worth the $30. When I told Sveta what happened, she confirmed that I had spoken correctly and Vala had misunderstood. One of the guys behind the counter asked if I had a car and I answered, no, I have my arms! So I toted those two birds all the way home from the market- all 25 pounds of them!!! Oh well, it all turned out just fine- there is a retired Col from the Marines and his wife that are missionaries here and we gave them one of the turkeys since they hadn’t gotten one.

Stuffed

About a month ago we realized that we had not sent stuffing in our consumable shipment- or maybe we had and I had already cooked the box up thinking that there was surely one more for Thanksgiving. Anyway, I immediately hopped on the internet and ordered several boxes from netgrocer and prayed they’d arrive in time. The box had not arrived on one of the last mail days, so I was preparing to make my own and put Sveta to work chopping up bread and celery. Fortunately, Capt. S, the asst defense attaché at the embassy called and offered to bring me some things from the embassy commissary (we’re not members so I can’t shop there)- yea! Stovetop Stuffing!!! I gave the other to our missionary friends and waited for the easy way out to arrive!

Just prior to this celebration, Mr. YH took a trip to western Ukraine...

To Have or Not To Have

That was the question we were faced with on Wednesday. As you remember, Mr. YH did not get sufficient sleep on the train and the result was he got sicker than a dog. He spent days in bed with a fever and didn’t even go to school. We decided that if he woke up on Thursday morning without a fever and he felt better, we wouldn’t cancel. I struggled with my own selfishness of wanting everyone to come since there had already been so much work put into getting everything. I woke up early so I could prepare the turkey- either way, I needed to cook it so it didn’t go bad. You know, I don’t terribly mind handling a whole chicken to cook- I think that for me, there is an antiseptic-like effect that the plastic wrapping offers: the bird has been dead for some time type of thing, and I don't mind touching it so much. When I had to prepare this turkey, it was not the most pleasant task for me- Vala had wonderfully cleaned it up and stuck it in a Wal-Mart style plastic bag for me to bring home- but, I just couldn’t help thinking that truly, almost yesterday this turkey had been gobbling all over the place and now its defeathered fresh carcass was sitting on my kitchen counter! I steeled myself and with the help of pages of “how to cook the perfect turkey” tips from a variety of sources, I seasoned and such and got it all situated in the biggest pan that would fit in my oven- a 9x13. I sprayed it with oil and prayed over it and then stuck it in the oven with not so little fanfare, literally using my weight to push the oven door closed!! I only had to call back to the States for help one time and in the end, it was a rather tasty turkey. Well,Mr. YH felt well enough to go on with the holiday. We set up the tables and got everything picked up- even throwing a bag of dirty diapers on the balcony because we didn’t have time to take it out! We talked about how we wanted to explain the history of it a little, read from the Bible, and then have everyone share one thing they were thankful for. This was going to be good.

Disorder, Confusion, Chaos, Bedlam, Anarchy, Pandemonium, Commotion, Disarray, Turmoil, Madness, Mess, Unruliness

Right around 5, our guests began to arrive. We invited our pastor, Roman, his wife Olya, and their two boys Vlady (3.5) and Bohgdan (1) and the couple Yuri and Olya and their daughter Tanya that we’d had over before. We sat down to eat and what threw them off was that there was only one dish of everything on the table; Ukrainians have a lot of little plates and they eat off a salad size plate, spearing with their own fork whatever they want to eat from the dish in front of them. I had to explain that they could help themselves to whatever they wanted to try and then pass the dish on- we never really passed effectively, but everyone got some food and enjoyed it. Even now, I find it hard to accurately describe what transpired the rest of that evening- I suppose the title of this section can give you a rather succinct summary. I will attempt to give you a little more of a mental picture as well- if you can imagine the three men sitting in the center of the living room discussing “important” topics and the two Olyas casually moving from one spot to the other, and me frantically trying to do damage control as the two boys (mainly) literally tore my house apart. It would be like monkeys swinging from the ceiling, screeching and tossing about whatever they can right in front of their parents’ faces with ABSOLUTELY NO REACTION given to this behavior- we’re talking no change in facial expression, not even a brush aside with the hand, NOTHING! I think that Big Girl was relieved that bedtime arrived and she could tune it all out in her room- alone! When the last guest departed and the smoke cleared, there sat the stuffing still keeping warm in the microwave where I had placed it until it was time to eat!

Alaska- For Rent

We encountered this with our teacher in DC, Tamara, and chalked it up as her simply being a card-carrying Communist. Roman and Yuri were also educated if not all, at least mostly, by the Soviet educational system. Believe it or not, it is their very adamant conviction that Alaska was never sold to the United States, but has been rented for these many years AND that we’re going to give it back sometime in the future. That was one of those important issues that took precedence over the unruly boys. Another interesting belief of Ukrainians is that Americans don’t do anything for themselves. For example, my teacher that comes to the house is utterly amazed that I can cook. She has watched me pull things out of the oven and just stares, wide-eyed. She said, “You know, Tara, I thought that Americans ate at McDonalds everyday for lunch and then ate at a restaurant every night.” She picked that up from the movies. Mine is not the isolated case- another American told me her landlady was also shocked to see her cooking!

I'm pleased to say that the following Thanksgiving was much calmer and a success despite the fact that the nation was experiencing the Orange Revolution and the turkey I had ordered could not be delivered since the man could not get into the city. Since this post is so long, I'll save that one for later this weekend.

I hope you all have a blessed holiday!

Oh Boy!!

Four years ago this past Thursday- November 19- we found out that a boy had been added to our family. At 8 lbs., 4 oz, The Boy was my smallest. He was also a week early which was a blessing for me! Big Girl was disappointed he wasn't a girl (she got over it!), and I was thrilled he was because, I. was. done. {until that little bundle of pink surprised us!}

I tell The Boy that he is my favorite boy in the whole world, and we play a little game where I say, "Do you know that George is my favorite boy?!" He'll answer that no he is not, and I'll repeat the question with several other names until we finally settle on him. He is also my lovey-dovey, tender child- always ready to give and receive hugs. He'll often tell me out of the blue that he loves me. And it gets me every single time! Oh, please, Lord! Let him say it forever!!

We started out the day with
the traditional special pancakes
on the blue plate.
He wanted a dinosaur.

We had Bible study that morning,
so he got to share some cookies
with the other children
in the nursery.
He asked to open his presents after supper.
To my surprise, he didn't request chicken nuggets,
but wanted me to make homemade mac 'n cheese.

He received many fun gifts.
Mama and Daddy gave him a big boy backpack
which will come in handy during the move.

Looking at his ABC book.

Big Girl painted him a rocket to hang in his room.
He's been begging her to make him something
for the past week, and she's had a hard time
putting him off since this was a secret!

She also made a rocket
which he is thrilled with!
{Lately, rockets have been a new fascination.}

And, oh! There was one more gift!

A new toy for Daddy The Boy!

Today was the actual
birthday party with his friends.
The cake turned out pretty well-
there were a few hairy moments
and I sent everyone out of the kitchen
so they'd leave me alone!

Cars tattoos.

Outside, the boys threw
beanbags
into a tire.

Then they rolled the tire
around the cones and back.
Everyone got a prize,
but the one with the fastest time
got an extra treat!

And then they raced the cars they brought along.
No formal organization here-
just kids playing and having a good time.
This was a hit!

Cake and ice cream.

Present time!

And an hour later, the party was over.
And I have another weight off my shoulders.
We're a day closer to packing!

Can I Be Mom of the Year, Please?!?!

Why is Mrs. Yellow Hat so cheery at 9 p.m.?

Because this is finished.

I can't wait for The Boy to see it!
{Even if the 95 looks a bit
sloppy- oh well!}
Party time is 10 a.m. tomorrow!

Our Last CA Visitor

On Thursday, an old college friend arrived to spend a couple of days with us. Sarah and I were music majors together at Cedarville. To this day, I think she has one of the most beautiful tones I've ever heard on an oboe. It's always fun to have friends to hang out with that know some of your history- you know, the kind where you don't spend 3 hours catching them up before launching into the latest segment of the drama. And it's fun to reminisce. Except Sarah has a really bad memory and doesn't even remember that it was me who would set the clock slightly ahead between music theory and music history classes so that we could get out a little earlier (sorry, Dr. Matson!!!). Neither, I suppose, does she remember when Heidi and I, as mature freshman, used a highlighter to slightly enhance the tips of Sandy's hair during class up in that room in Ambassador Hall- or that Sandy got really offended when we asked if she highlighted her hair (she didn't know we had added our own personal touch). Anyway, I digress. Sarah had asked some months ago if she could come out for a visit and by all means, we were thrilled to have her come! She came bearing gifts for the kids, and they in turn, acted like we never give them any attention!

On Friday morning, we headed out to Point Lobos.
Sadly, the trail was blocked off to Sea Lion Point,
but we were still able to get a view of some seals
(click photo to enlarge and see them).

This is the rock island they're on in context.

Whaler's Cove
Notice Mr. Happy there.

That afternoon while the kids rested,
we headed down toward Cannery Row.
We walked down the Coast Guard Pier
and were treated to a few big guys sunning themselves.

At the end, looking across part of the bay.
Lots of sea lions, some pelicans,
and I believe there is a cormorant
near the bottom left.

Afterward, we stopped in here
and enjoyed peppermint hot chocolate
and brownies.

On Friday night, she was a trooper and joined us military spouses for some Bunco! I took home a cash prize for the most losses! Hooray!

Sarah, we are so blessed by your loyal friendship! Thank you for coming all the way out from Texas to see us and know you're welcome anytime! So go get that passport and start saving!

The Old Switch-a-roo

Well, a month before we leave California, we finally went to In and Out. The kids got these cute hats. Baby Girl liked hers a lot. Then she came home and saw Daddy's and decided his was more appealing.

I don't suppose the Air Force will consider
this in line with dress code.

Big Girl's Pillow Case Dress

Well, folks, Mr. YH got his thesis back from the lady who formatted it correctly (well worth every penny for her time!!!!) and he sent it on to his adviser. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter!

So that meant we had a rather leisurely Saturday afternoon! I rushed back to the craft store to get this fabric before it was gone- you know I would have been just sick had I waited and they were out. Because, yes, I had planned on making a matching dress for Big Girl. I did a few things differently which made it look neater, but I am still such a novice! Thankfully, I don't think anyone will be close enough to tell.


I'd love some bows to match. My bow lady is taking a break, but I think I may write and ask if she'll whip up a couple to go with these. Then just maybe I'll attempt a Christmas photo on the beach in these. I don't know if we'll do a beach family photo while we're here or not (the pressure of the move is on), but thankfully we'll have a few months on the Atlantic and we can perhaps get one there and it'll be warmer.

Oh- one last question: what color of top do you think should go underneath? Red, pink, white?

Thanks for all of your sweet comments about the dresses!

Yellow Hat's Annual Pumpkin Day

I'm a little behind on photos. We held our annual Pumpkin Day last weekend. There isn't a specific date for this Yellow Hat holiday- we like to be flexible and have our holidays work around our schedules!

{G stands for Yellow Hat}

We started off with pumpkin and leaf shaped pancakes. It's tradition inside the Yellow Hat to have shaped pancakes for all of our holidays.



Due to the busyness of our lives (like an impending overseas move with two birthday parties, Thanksgiving, a Christmas musical, a thesis, etc. all happening prior to that move), I did not go "all out" this year. Didn't matter- the kids loved it anyway.

They had a variety of worksheets to do.

We took down the green leaves and apples so we could decorate our tree "fall style." They each colored a pumpkin and the older two had a scarecrow craft. The leaves came from Oriental Trading Company years ago. There are more on there now- each night the kids take turn saying something they're thankful for and we write it on a leaf that they stick on the tree. We do it all the way until Thanksgiving.

The day would not be complete
without watching Charlie Brown's
The Great Pumpkin.
{still waiting for the new furniture to arrive}

Lunch.
It was all orange related
to keep to the theme of the day.

Planning out the face they wanted.
Things have gotten very diplomatic
as they've gotten older.

Reading
The Pumpkin Patch Parable
before carving.

At least this year she actually stuck her hand in!

Not interested.

Now she is!

The Boy wanted no part of cleaning out the pumpkin-
what is wrong with my kids?!
He worked on this little magnet craft instead.
Each sticker had a Bible verse that went with it.

Hope you had a fun October!