Mrs. Yellow Hat

Best Gift Ever!

2012-01-24T06:07:00.003-05:00

I showed this Sup.er Bowl commerical to my kids the other day and now they quote it non-stop.

I have not corrected them from thinking the people are chanting, "Best gift ever!" ☺

Golden Birthday

2012-01-16T09:24:00.003-05:00

On January 9, 2003,

a little bit of sunshine entered our lives.

Nine on the 9th - one more yellow rose added

to the bouquet from Daddy this year.

Traditional pancake breakfast on the blue plate.

Opening presents from a sister and brother who adore her...

A monogrammed silver locket from Mama and Daddy.

Pizza lunch at Chelentano's

Brownie sundaes after supper.

P.S. You know what this means?! I have these photos in the family album! Next up- the horse party!

Military Snapshots

2012-01-13T05:09:00.006-05:00

When I first married my airman and had the opportunity to visit the homes of other military members, I saw that many had kept a record of each base they'd been stationed at in some sort of decorative display. To this day, I enjoy seeing the military history of each family. I decided I'd pull together some photos representing each of our assignments with the United States Air Force as I link up with Kelly.

Mr. Yellow Hat began his journey in the military in ROTC while we were at Cedarville University outside of Dayton, Ohio. This was a dining out event we attended in 1992.

We dated on and off in college and then went our separate ways. We reconnected and married in October of 2000. {For the life of me, I can not get this photo to turn. Regardless, here we are in the Prince William Sound in front of a glacier.}

{C-130 pilot}

Elmendorf Air Force Base

Anchorage, Alaska

1998-2002

Mr. YH was picked up as an Olmsted Scholar to Ukraine in 2002. We left Alaska in July expecting our first baby, and began our Ukrainian language training in Washington D.C. upon arrival. We studied together with Tamara (middle) and after the baby was born, Mr. YH continued alone with her while Galina (next to Mr. YH) met with me on a part-time basis.

Defense Language Institute- East

Washington D.C.

July 2002 - July 2003

We flew out of D.C., in-processed at Aviano AB in Italy, and then made the leap to Kyiv, Ukraine. Under the Olmsted program, Mr. YH studied as a graduate student at the National Aviation University and we travelled to twenty countries (baby in tow)...it was a wonderful assignment full of adventures!

Olmsted Scholar Program

Kyiv, Ukraine

July 2003 - July 2005

{Yalta, Crimea}

{on one of our trips - Greece}

Mr.YH returned to operational duties after we left Ukraine and deployed twice before becoming the wing executive officer which we joked was a deployment 15 minutes down the road. We added two more babies.

Pope Air Force Base

North Carolina

July 2005 - August 2008

{Reunited on Green Ramp after a deployment to Iraq.}

God restored the year the AF ate, and Mr. YH was picked up for a graduate program in Homeland Security at NPS in California. We packed up our family and drove across the country; we had a {nursing} 2 month old baby when we left. The 15 months we spent in the Monterey Bay area were a much needed respite for our marriage and family. {For you military peeps- Marine's Memorial Hotel in downtown San Fransisco has free active-duty membership, prices are amazing, and the breakfast buffet is awesome!}

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, California

September 2008 - January 2010

{We dearly miss having the ocean so close!}

We filled out our "dream sheet" with our top three choices being Little Rock, Arkansas. We were handed orders to Stuttgart, Germany. Through a twist of events, we were diverted to Kyiv, Ukraine three days before packing up for Germany. Once they cleared us again medically and we had our official passports in hand with everyone on the orders (finally!), we flew back into Kyiv in the middle of a snowstorm! We extended our tour 6 months here to get back on the summer cycle of moving.

Office of Defense Cooperation

U.S. Embassy

Kyiv, Ukraine

February 2010 - June/July 2012

{We hit 10 years of marriage here, and we're still crazy about each other!}

{Mr. YH pinned on Lt. Col. last spring. Our oldest

daughter, Ambassador Tefft, and I pinned on the new rank.}

{We all piled in the van and trekked across Europe to Garmisch, Germany where Mr. YH had a conference. We had a beautiful day to see the Alps from the highest peak before we left. Military peeps- fantastic MWR here!!}

And now, that internal clock is telling me it's time to gear up for another move! We're ready and excited. We have no idea where we're headed, but Mr. YH needs to return to the cockpit. We are hoping to find out in the next month or so where the next adventure begins! We'll have about 3 1/2 years left until we hit 20 and retire, so this could be the last move! {And I have mixed emotions about that- wisdom from anyone who has been there?!}

Check

2012-01-11T07:48:00.011-05:00

...as in I crossed something off my list on Wednesday, January 11, 2011. Not bad for only eleven days into the new year.

I've purposed to be much more aware of how much time I spend on the computer this year. And I've decided that if I am going to post pictures, then I'd better have them in an album for the family first before using that time to share here. We'll just call it a rule because I am, after all, a happy rule follower {much of the time}.

So, my firstborn had her birthday on Monday. The party is on Saturday. Of course, I am still following my rule, so I can not post a photo yet.

Do not lose heart - it will be soon because today I just ordered TWO photo albums from my online album go-to company because they have a 40% off sale and free shipping and I had a gift card that brought my total so low, I certainly had incentive to get my hiney-whiney in gear.

Remember my questions? {Despite the low participation, I actually did get some answers.} Anyway, I had hoped to get sage advice on how to catch up on all these photo books. I often ask myself, "Why, why, why, do I do this to myself?!!??!?" But I started and I must finish. It's a rule. Or a curse. { Or just plain stupidity?}

I think I'm rambling. I don't care. I'm going to share my history here, and if you don't want to read further, feel free to jump to the end.

So anyway, we got married in 200o and I have everything done through 2005. That's a marriage, honeymoon, annivesary in Hawaii, and 2 babies bookending travel in 20 countries. 2006 hasn't been touched. I did great in 2007 because my old teaching buddy, Ginger, inspired me. {Kids used to think we were sisters even though we look nothing alike- what was that wild child's name at MMMS that used to tell us that?} Every month I finished the pages for that month's photos and then I ordered. I was able to keep that up until Baby Girl was born in May 2008.

Then we put the house on the market, she was born, we moved across the country, we had to reaclimate as a family because the last job in NC sucked the very life out of all of us, and I was just too tired and overwhelmed to pull it all together. I have two months left of that year to do.

I just ordered part of 2009. I am going to pull out my old calendars and the external hard drive and try to finish up the next book of that year (which I was pleasantly surprised was nearly done- I forget!)so I can order today and get that sale price... but that still leaves the end of '09.

I have part of 2010 done, but if you remember, we had an overseas move, sketchy internet upon arrival when I could have worked on albums, and I didn't bother further.

I had great intentions for 2011. I have about one month's worth of photos in the book. I did, however, get the European Vacation book done (I ordered that today - hooray!). And then I felt so bad that The Boy's birthday photos aren't in any books yet because his is at the end of the year when I'm all wiped out, that I had started the fall of 2011 over Christmas break and am working on his pirate party now. Note that I was judicious in how many photos I took on Christmas- because, seriously- we've had the same decor for years that I was amazingly tired of (handed it off to Sveta last week) and how many photos do I need of my kids opening a gift?!?!

This is all so unlike me. Really. I don't like unfinished projects and I don't like having so many at one time. Hence, the new rule - which, in case you've forgotten after all this drama, is that I can't post new photos unless they're in a book for my family first. And maybe I should add: STOP TAKING SO MANY STINKIN' PICTURES!!!

It's futile, I think (to limit quanity), because I'm entirely smitten with the Little Hats. And the horse birthday party is in 3 days...the cake table is done and it looks pretty cute if I do say so myself!

And on that lame ending, I'm off- to eat some licorice and gear up to finish documenting more YH history!

Beauties at the Ballet

2012-01-02T03:57:00.004-05:00

The girls and I went down to the Children's Ballet Theater on Saturday to attend the Nutcraker ballet performance. This was Baby Girl's first time and she loved it! The program is shortened for the kids, so it was the perfect length for her (just under 2 hours with an intermission).

Curtain Call

I learned last year that we could take flowers and the children could go on stage to give them to the ballerinas at the end. We stopped and got some roses on the way so they could give them to the "princess ballerina" at the end. Baby Girl panicked slightly at intermission because we hadn't given the flowers to the princess!

This Was Christmas- 2011

2012-01-01T06:15:00.009-05:00

I think I'm still within the window for posting this since it's still the holiday weekend, right?! Our tree will be up another week anyway because the Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on January 7, and when in Rome...

I didn't decorate too much this year. Between being tired of the colors of the decorations we have and beginning to feel that itch to move, I stayed pretty simple.

Christmas morning-

the best we could do before heading out the door for church at 8:30 a.m.!

We had time to open stockings after breakfast.

I picked this up in Venice for

Big Girl and her American Girl doll.

Remember when I made these?

Mr. YH and I always joke about getting old.

He can never remember if he has taken his vitamins or not,

so I got him a daily pill box as a joke.

He knew I had wanted a slotted spoon. I accidentally found the one on the right in an Amazon box and then proceeded to make a joke about needing to get up to $25 for free shipping. He told me later that he wanted to get me the spoon I wanted and it wasn't for free shipping {profuse apologies for my awful gaffe} and we could order the one I really wanted to match our flatware (he forgot that detail).

Big Girl wanted a camera. I was running into problems with batteries because we can't ship certain ones through the pouch over here. Mr. YH had a little point and shoot he had picked up to take to the desert several years ago. I suggested we just clean off the card and give it to her. He was a little opposed at first because it was used, but she had no idea we even had it, so that's what we did. I ordered a pink camera case, and as you can see, she was thrilled!

We had a lot of this going on...

Turns out Baby Girl's favorite toy of the day was the cheap little wind-up duck

Sveta gave her. I could have gotten off for as little as about 35 cents!

The Boy has been telling us for months that he wants to buy a light saber when we go back to America (he has never seen Star Wars and won't for a while). We decided to get one and when I checked reviews, I realized that one would not do...Daddy needed one, too, or this would just not be as fun!

Baby Girl has been playing with her brother's castle since last Christmas. Amazon had a sale on the pink castle furniture and people this summer, so I bought it so she could use it in her big dollhouse bookcase.

He was so happy.

The kids were so precious to listen to and watch leading up to Christmas. They sat in the kitchen planning and crafting gifts for one another and us. They even made little stocking stuffers like coloring books for each other. This was Big Girl's gift to her daddy- a painting of his plane, the C-130 Mighty Hercules.

I believe my exact words were, "Rue the day anyone sends us more construction paper!" These sweet friends weren't given that memo.

My brother and his wife sent mac 'n cheese and hot chocolate.

High commodities around here!

Hope yours was a blessed holiday celebrating our Lord's birth

and spending time with family and friends!

Potatoes

2011-12-28T16:49:00.006-05:00

They're gone.

We ate every blessed one of them.

Ukrainians love their potatoes. Mr. YH was out at Yuri and Sveta's dacha (in August, I think!) when they were digging them up, and they insisted that he bring a bag home. Bag as in you could fit a medium sized dog in it.

Mr. YH is super concientious about food we've been gifted. The balcony was too hot, so they went into a box in the dark sauna {which is in our bathroom} so they wouldn't turn green and would be at the right temperature- not too hot, not too cold...which meant we could not turn the floor warmer on in the bathroom until every.single.potato was gone.

I pulled the last four out for breakfast burritos tonight. And then I flipped the switch on the floors.

Bliss.

We're so spoiled!

P.S. Not a word to Sveta that we're out of potatoes!!!

Book Worms

2011-12-19T12:07:00.005-05:00

I was reminded a couple of months ago of the Book It incentive program sponsored by Pizza Hut. I did not know that home schooling children can also participate. Unfortunately, we don't have a local PH, but I really wanted to help increase the confidence of our newest reader, so we have our own Yellow Hat "Book It."

The kids have to read 20 books a month. This is nothing for Big Girl since she includes the dictionary and text books in her pleasure reading. This was also not too big of a task for The Boy since he is only reading things like The cat sat. Baby Girl just gets to listen to 20 books. So, hooray! They did it!

Since the streets were free of snow and it was not too cold outside, I threw caution to the wind and we headed to Podil to Domino's a week ago. In a car in light traffic, it may take 15 minutes to get there. On public transport- an hour each way. And it's just stressful dragging 3 kids out on public transportation. BUT, they reached the goal for November and this is one of the better pizza places in town...

As tasty as it was, the next time we're going downstairs to Chelantano!

'Tis the Season

2011-12-13T13:44:00.005-05:00

For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

I arrived to our small group earlier than usual last week because Mr. YH was out of town, and I was teaching. During the course of casual conversation, it came out that I have a degree in music. Three, to be exact- two bachelors and a masters in Orchestral Instrument Performance with an Emphasis on Trumpet... or something like that...the diploma is framed but in storage somewhere in California.

The people in my group were surprised. They had no idea. Because they just know me as Tara, Mr. YH's wife with the three cute kids who teaches Sunday School and sometimes takes over the small group study, who home schools, and is a stay at home mom.

And that's totally fine with me. It's an identity I'm blessed to have.

There was a time, however, when I was associated more with my horn: hours of personal practice and rehearsals, playing in the church and community ensembles, hiring out for weddings and other gigs, teaching privately, teaching as a profession...

And then I got married and moved...a lot. And the seasons have changed....a lot.

During some seasons, I have been able to regularly practice and have even had opportunities to play publicly and even take some lessons. And during other times, the horn has sat in the corner, the case gathering dust and the valves and slides freezing up.

When we moved back here to Ukraine two years ago, our orders were messed up and we were juggling three kids and their gear. It was the first time since the sixth grade I had not hand- carried my horns with me and I had to watch them get packed in a box, hoping I'd see them again....there were many times I wished I had them with me while we waited 4.5 months for our household goods to arrive from the States.

The last box I unpacked when everything arrived had my trumpets in it. I waited until the end because it meant everything else had been taken care of and I could open it and enjoy them. Music is a language of the soul.

So this tour in Ukraine has been another season or two or five...I've lost count. I've had times I've been able to practice, but it hasn't been anything consistent. I teach Big Girl piano lessons weekly and I even find time to sit down at the piano and get lost for a few minutes, but it's just not the same. Even though a piece of paper that says I earned some title is in storage, practically speaking, I didn't want to be in storage!

I kept looking at my schedule and trying to figure out how to fit playing in. If I don't get things done for myself- exercising, my quiet time, a shower- in the morning, I'm just too wiped out in the afternoon to feel like doing any of those things. I wondered if adding a practice time into the morning routine would be a little too selfish....it'd have to be after the kids were awake and after the neighbors were up and about which would cut into school time. I prayed and prayed about how to use my time wisely and talked to Mr. YH who happily encouraged me to take the time and assured me that the kids' education wouldn't be harmed.

So that's been part of my latest organizational overhaul- to include a daily formal practice time. When Big Girl's scheduled practice time for piano and guitar rolls around, I have been able to spend some time getting reaquainted with my own music. Sometimes Baby Girl gets all cozy on my bed and reads while I practice...and when the time is up, we jump into the day's school lessons, and we've been able to get it all done. It feels so good!

I wanted to share that bit of testimony because I think that there are a lot of ladies out there who are educated and accomplished in some form or fashion. Different seasons of life require that our time and attention be focused elsewhere. And we feel guilty, disappointed- maybe even bitter- that we aren't "using our education and/or talents."

Listen. Don't. Don't go there. Every single experience we've had makes us who we are today, and if we are diligent to seek the Lord, He is faithful in being found. And His priorities will be ours and all that He has used to make us who we are will be used in some form or fashion- every.single.day. And a time will come when we can have more time to enjoy those first passions.

He is the master orchestrator after all.

Let your life sing His praises

no matter what season you're in.

Miss Lucy

2011-12-11T23:37:00.002-05:00

Big Girl told the children's director that she wanted to be Lucy because
"I'm really good at being bossy."

At least she's honest, right?!

She worked hard and was a fantastic Lucy!

I'll give you five good reasons....

Tree Decorating 2011

2011-12-09T14:16:00.003-05:00

Last Friday night we decorated our Christmas tree.

We set up the little tables so the kids could color

while we put the tree together and put the lights on.

The first present the kids get each year is an ornament from us

that represents something significant in their life the past year.

{Such bad lighting in this place!!!}

Big Girl's- a handpainted Ukrainian egg

The Boy's- a cross because he

accepted Christ as his Savior in March

Baby Girl's- a la metrushka doll,

a handpainted wooden Ukrainian doll

{And then they went to bed and Mama helped spread the wealth around the tree a little instead of having 3 poor branches hold the bulk of our decor!}

Questions

2011-12-06T09:26:00.006-05:00

I am a Type A.

I follow rules.

I like lists and charts.

I like my clothes to hang ROYGBIV in the closet.

My sock drawer is organized.

I sort my silverware in the dishwasher.

I have files to keep my files organized.

{You should really not be surprised by any of this

if you've read for any length of time.}

SO.

Every now and then I let myself become human and slip out of organized mode until I get that tick which sends me into a frenzy of putting everything back in its place both literally and figuratively. And we are about 7 months out from packing up again, so I am beginning to feel the need to have my T's crossed and I's dotted and all of it tied up in a neat bow....or something along those lines. And I need your help.

I am in need of a light pink- like powdery pink and not mauvish pink- 8.5 x 11 C.r.e.a.t.i.v.e. M.e.m.o.r.i.e.s. album. Does anyone have a new one they want to unload or sell these or know someone who does?
Where can I find reasonably priced and cute binder divders or file folders online?
Does anyone else do their photo albums online? How do you manage to keep up to date?
I have a beautiful Strasburg beach dress in size 12 months (runs big) that I would like to sell for $30 shipped. See last year's Christmas card. Know of anyone who'd like that deal?
My rubber.maid is getting old. I like it, because it has a little tab that helps pull the lid off. Do they still make that? What do you use? Please, no one tell me about the chemicals that leach from plastic; I've read it and I still want some. I'd like to find something new so that I can leave Sveta all the old. And yes, please make your suggestion something matchy-matchy.

And these are just random things I'd like to know.

Seriously, I'd appreciate your wisdom:

How long are unmentionables supposed to last? Like the ones on top.
How long do you keep your white tees and camis before you pitch them due to "color discrepencies?"

Ok, I'm waiting for your answers.

I Have an H

2011-12-02T10:48:00.010-05:00

I'm linking up with Kelly's monogram swap.

Five piece 24-months outfit by Lolly Wolly Doodle.

"H"

Includes swing top (buttons on front),

2 apple green {alligator clip} bows,

ruffle pants,

and bloomers.

{cutie-patootie stays with me!}

$20 shipped*

Leave a comment with your e-mail address and "SOLD!"

and I'll contact you about arranging payment

via Paypal and shipping.

*We are currently assigned to an embassy in Eastern Europe.

I can ship this regular USPS, but please understand

our mail only leaves on Thursdays and then takes

however long to get to the Dulles airport

before being shipped on to you.

Game On!

2011-11-29T04:54:00.003-05:00

Big Girl is our verbal child.

We decided to teach her how to play Scrabble this past weekend.

We've probably created a monster, and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

But we had a great time, and have a fantastic memory from our Sunday afternoon game:

As we'd play, she'd ask, "Is there a word with [pick your letters]?"

"Big Girl, it is not good strategy to tell everyone which tiles are on your rack."

She was itching to play her Z and plopped down ADZE.

"Big Girl, that is not a word. Why are you wasting your turn?"

"Fine, I'll take off the E. There. ADZ."

[again, we tried to get her to rethink]

"No, I think that's a word. I've read it somewhere. You'll have to challenge me."

So, her daddy did just that and guess what?

Turns out that not only is ADZ a word, so is ADZE.

And she got the triple letter.

I guess reading the dictionary pays off!

Definition: "Having Children"

2011-11-27T06:10:00.008-05:00

joy
noun

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated.
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaity
4. a state of happiness or felicity.

{Guess who reads this for fun?}

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

The Thankful Vine

2011-11-24T00:58:00.005-05:00

I ran out of construction paper due to all the Little Hats' creations, so we didn't have enough to make a tree this year. That didn't stop us from being thankful, though!

my pig

Daddy

pumpkins

books

Mama

my bunny

school books

friends

art

water bottle

horses

gravity

food

Snuggly

fish

The Boy's party

toys

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and

joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 145:7

Happy Thanksgiving!

MC Ball 2011

2011-11-21T11:29:00.005-05:00

The Marine Corps Ball was on Saturday night,

and I got to attend on the arm of the most handsome officer there.

My mail order dress worked out for me (the smaller size- hallelujah!)- the cherries on top were that I did not have to purchase new unmentionables to fit the cut and it's machine washable.

Here's the whole dress and my cute friend Melissa

(we were handed roses when we walked in).

We had a five course dinner and dessert after the formal ceremony. The Marines always put together a great video (shown at every ball worldwide) and our ambassador here in Ukraine is so easy to listen to- a very down-to-earth guy. I always get tickled when the Marines solemnly wheel in the birthday cake. They cut it with a sword and the first piece goes to the guest of honor (ambassador), then the oldest Marine present is served his piece which he then passes on to the youngest Marine- who was born in 1989!! Oh my- talk about feeling old!!

Ships Ahoy, Mateys!

2011-11-20T13:59:00.002-05:00

Our little pirate turned 6 on yesterday.

Due to an event we needed to attend last night,

we had the party today after church.

It Takes a Village...

2011-11-16T10:46:00.008-05:00

or some really good friends at the very least

to make my Christmas card happen each year!

My super sweet, amazing and beautiful (and single) friend,

Karen, took these great photos of the little Hats.

She was going to do a family picture, but it stormed,

and the one nice day I can remember after that was the one

she said to bring the kids down so we could see what we could get.

I am so grateful to her for capturing some of my favorite expressions!

And then my BFF, Shutterfly.

How did people survive without this company

back in the day?!

I scoured several sites' Christmas card options, and while there are many lovely choices, I kept coming back to Shutterfly and the designs and prices (and coupon codes galore!) in addition to the tried and true service I've received in the past sold me. Through November 16, you can use coupon code CARD40 to receive 40% off your card order and if you use code SHIP30, you can receive free shipping for any orders over $30 (my total was halved!).

Without further ado, our 2011 card

{actually, the real ones have our real names}:

Classic Damask Frame Christmas

Browse our collection of Christmas card designs.

View the entire collection of cards.

So go ahead and click over to Shutterfly and have a look around! You can display your finished project on your blog or personal website and receive a $10 gift certificate, too!

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas

2011-11-15T15:46:00.004-05:00

We have family devotions before the children go to bed each evening. Then they each get to pick a song to sing before prayers. Tonight, The Boy requested we sing a joyous rendition of that familiar carol, Hark! The Angel Harold Sings! That makes the cut for the book!

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Venice- Part II

2011-11-10T08:34:00.003-05:00

Our girls weekend looked like this:

Meandering through the labryinth of streets all day,
looking, shopping, eating.

Lunch was our biggest meal.

{The lasagna I had on Sunday changed my life forever.}

The gelato was amazing.

We bought supper and breakfast foods
to take back to the apartment we rented.

We all piled on the sofa and watched girl movies and stayed up late talking.

Repeat the next day.

Here are some of my favorite scenes:

Girls Trip to Venice- Part I

2011-11-08T11:05:00.002-05:00

I have few words...it was a needed trip and we had a blast!

It doesn't hurt that our destination was so beautiful-

I never get tired of Venice!

Orphan Sunday Video

2011-11-07T10:33:00.004-05:00

Please take a few minutes and watch this video my friend Karen made for our service at church yesterday (in fact, all those who speak go to our church). You may want a tissue handy.

Memo

2011-11-06T01:42:00.001-04:00

As lovely as it was, I did not stay in Venice.

Life has been busy....

Viva Italia!

2011-10-21T08:57:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow morning, Amy, Marci, Melissa & I

will be on a plane headed here for

our girls weekend.

Can't wait for the pasta, gelato, splendid views,

atmosphere, and fun times!

photo source

Ciao!!

Friday Foto Dump

2011-10-14T05:58:00.010-04:00

It's been a full week- some expected busyness and some unexpected. The kids have been fed, we have two things left to do this afternoon for school, and for this exact minute, the three are playing happily. So I thought I'd take a moment and share some photos- in no particular order- of what has gone down in the Yellow Hat household lately (some a more distant lately than others!).

Mr. YH's parents' pastor and wife are in country. They had dinner with us on Monday along with another pastor and his wife who are now missionaries here. Baby Girl had a bad attitude last week and was being simply ornery when we talked about these couples joining us. I told her that this would be a lot of fun and they would bring dessert to share. Henceforth, the child thanked God "that Gigi's pastor can come and bring us a yummy dessert." I went with it! And she thoroughly enjoyed Kellie's angel food cake with warmed up Nutella.

I don't remember why Mr. YH wasn't home. But sometime after the kids were put to bed and I was unwinding in a chair, I heard little pattering feet. I walked through my room to the kids' room and didn't see her. I looked in the bathroom- no Baby Girl. I called her to come to me thinking she had gone one way in the loop while I had gone the other. Still no answer (and that's a big no in our house to not come when called). Big Girl was still awake and I asked where her sister was; she had no idea. I went back through my room and this is what I saw:

It tickled me so much that she had wedged herself under all the bedding that I laughed, grabbed the camera and put her back to bed {with only a warning to stay in her own!}.

I think most Ukrainians have a dacha- a little piece of land somewhere outside the city to farm. Usually they have a little cabin, sometimes more. Plumbing would be primitive. Sveta and Yuri have one and Mr. YH went out to go fishing with Yuri. He came home with a huge bag of apples, so I made applesauce. The only problem was that the jar lids don't screw on and I needed some contraption to seal them. Thankfully, Sveta had one and helped me out.

This is Sveta, my right arm, twice a week.

I think this was in August. We had read about the Romans and made a recipe that was in The Boy's history book and then dined as they did.

My aunt and uncle always send the kids money or a gift card for their birthdays. Baby Girl received a Toys R Us card and we were able to use it when we were back in the States this summer. She picked out the pink piggy and the mouse lunch bag to take to home school group- just like the big kids. She insists she is having a piggy party for her next birthday. When Zulily had a smocked piggy dress, the deal was done.

First tooth lost- the second came out in the van a few days later while we were on our trip to Crimea last month.

Amy and I were out one day, and I found these little oven mitts that were the perfect size for Big Girl.

She's been learning to do a few more things in the kitchen. She's making rhubarb strawberry jam here- we scored a bunch of rhubarb at Mega Market last month.

A friend had a birthday party with a "mixed-up" theme. The kids were to come dressed appropriately. They opened presents first, had cake under the table, and in general, had a wonderful time!

My little reader. Recently she has started fixing her own hair. It about brings tears to my eyes- she'll be 9 in January. How did that happen? And what must I expect next!?

Totally random.

These are amazing- chocolate covered dried apples.

The Hungarians are brilliant, I tell you!

I prefer milk chooclate; Mr YH likes the dark.

Techno-challenged & Winner

2011-10-12T23:31:00.004-04:00

Is there a support group for people like me?!

The bad news is that I have no idea how to get the screen I captured to paste into my blog post. And because today has been rough with a capital R, I am through trying to figure it out.

The good news is that I do know how to work the random number generator and when I tried to copy the screen, the information below showed up:

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max:10
Result:8

So the really good news for Paige is that she left comment number 8. Congratulations, Paige- I'll be sending you an e-mail!

Big Reveal- Who Broke the Bone?!

2011-10-12T05:41:00.005-04:00

It's the last day of the giveaway for the digital scrapbooking software. You can have up to 5 entries! Go here to see the original post.

It's been a {half of a} week here. And have mercy, we have 2.5 to go! If you guessed that The Boy was the one who stood on the rubbermaid tub of toys and fell and broke his collarbone, you were right.

We took him to a local hospital accompanied by one of our Ukrainian nurses that works at the embassy health clinic. They wrapped him in a figure-eight bandage to hold his shoulders back and then we were instructed to keep his arms elevated at all times so his circulation wasn't cut off. This is my child who sleeps on his side, sucking his fingers, so the first night especially was a rough one for me as I was up multiple times checking on him and giving out more ibuprofen. I've been placing pillows up at his armpits which forces him to keep his arms above his head on the pillow or high enough to maintain circulation. The silver lining is that three weeks of this and perhaps he'll learn to fall asleep without sucking those fingers!

Our American nurse practitioner in charge of the embassy clinic wanted to see him yesterday, and then she sent everything over to the regional medical guy who concurred with the current treatment. He goes back to the hospital on Sunday to see how things are looking; they may leave him in this wrap if things look well or they have some other type of splint ordered that is his size and will hold the shoulders back to allow the bone to heal up.

I will take any prayers you have to offer. Mr. YH just flew out for his annual flight physical in Germany today and won't be back until the end of the week. That leaves me preparing an inductive Bible study for the small group we lead tomorrow on top of two other teaching commitments.

In other news, SHARE is in town and Big Girl took the ITBS (4th gr. fall norms) yesterday. We got the results this morning are pleased she did well which means mama is doing ok as teacher, too.

While she and the other home schooled kids took their tests at an apartment upstairs, the two little ones and I hung out with Amy all day. We had to call a taxi and leave by 7:30 a.m. so we could miss rush hour traffic which had the potential of being bad since Tymoschenko's verdict was to be handed down yesterday- there were riot police out even that early getting ready. Amy was kind enough to feed us 3 meals because we couldn't get a taxi even at 7:30 p.m.! The rest of the day we sat on the sofas under blankets while we watched the kids play with playdoh, draw and entertain themselves. While they napped, we discussed all sorts of important topics and in general, did nothing. It was fantastic!

Ok, so go enter the giveaway if you haven't!

A Broken Bone

2011-10-09T12:48:00.003-04:00

Guess which little Yellow Hat has a broken collar bone. You get 3 guesses, and the first two don't count...

Boo!

2011-10-08T09:03:00.002-04:00

Not as in scary "boo!" {although the image in the mirror was quite frightening!), but "boo" as in boo-hoo! Cinderella needs a dress for the ball next month. I had ordered one and let's just say this girl doesn't do empire waists so well- especially those with pleats that hit right at that spot on my torso that has been readjusted from 3 different pregnancies. Sigh. Oh, good grief, this deserves a big one: S.I.G.H.

Once again, though, good 'ole Columbus has come through for me. All the stores are having big sales and free shipping. I ordered another option in two different sizes and am hoping that (1) it gets here before the ball and (2) it not only fits, but it's actually flattering.

How about you-

thankful for the year 1492?!

What do you have planned for this 3 day weekend?

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the digital scrapbook software! You get up to 5 entries per person!

Chocolate Zuchinni Cake

2011-10-06T13:58:00.004-04:00

Food photographer,

I am not.

But I can assure you that this cake is

D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

{Double click on the recipe to enlarge

or e-mail me if you want me to send it to you.}

Cute recipe graphics done courtesy of software

provided by My Memories Suite.

Be sure to enter the drawing to win your own software here!

Software Giveaway

2011-10-04T00:00:00.002-04:00

Recently, Liz from My Memories Suite contacted me and asked if I would be interested in trying out their digital scrapbooking software. I replied that I would certainly enjoy the opportunity; I'm always looking for ways to record our family's history as well as creative ways to personalize gifts and cards for family using our own photos!

When you look around the site you'll discover that having the opportunity to download the materials you need to your own computer is something that other well-known sites do not currently offer. In other words, once you have downloaded the system onto your computer, you can choose to e-mail your finished product or print it out yourself at home or through a more professional venue. The creative possibilities are many: cards, calendars, invitations, bags, school reports, and scrapbooks are just a few!

I created this page to print out and frame as part of my fall decor here at the house.

My Memories Suite is giving away one copy of their digital scrapbooking software (and $80 value) to one of Mrs. Yellow Hat's readers! All you need to do is go to My Memories Suite and come back and leave a comment telling me the name of your favorite scrapbooking kit pack. Even if you do not have a blog, you can leave an anonymous comment. Simply leave your name and an e-mail that I can reach you at if you win {be sure to use spaces and spell out at, dot, and com so you don't get spam e-mails.}

You can earn up to 4 additional entries by doing the following:

Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your blog.
Become a follower of the My Memories Suite blog and come back and leave a comment telling me you have done so.
Like them on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you have done so.
Follow them on Twitter and leave a comment that you have done so.

You have through Wednesday, October 12 to enter.

You can also receive $10 off anything you purchase from their shop using the code STMMMS17617.

Happy Creating!

P.S. For those having trouble with links, I think they're all working now!

A Touch of Fall

2011-10-03T13:36:00.009-04:00

I didn't send a lot over for decorating. Mainly because I got rid of most everything so I could start over and be more judicial with my choices. I hate clutter, and I hate having to pack this stuff up every couple of years and storing it the rest of the time {in new houses whose storage spaces and capacities vary greatly}.

It all seemed like a great idea until, of course, I was itching to decorate and the nearest Hobby Lobby or Michael's is oh, just a few thousand miles away on another continent!

Cue the trumpet...Dad to the rescue! My dad now has one very spoiled bird dog. I just so happened to call right after they had been hunting and returned with a pheasant. I asked for the feathers, and my dad, known for doing a lot for his only daughter, sent them over.

Mr. YH came home and said, "What in the world?!"

Mrs. YH said, "Dad sent them to me. He'll be thrilled!"

{Surely, he will be, right?!}

Fall print-out courtesy of Dear Lillie.

Cute little creamer- cheap at World Market.

Letters to Compassion Children

2011-09-28T04:42:00.005-04:00

Do you sponsor a child through Compassion International? Have you checked out the web site recently to see how they've updated the online letter writing options to your child?

You can now choose different templates for the paper and even upload up to 3 photos! I'm so thrilled because by the time we hand-write a letter, I find a place to print out photos, send it all back through the diplomatic pouch to the States and have it make its way to the CO office and then on to India for translation and delivery, it seems like it is FOREVER!! And of course, this means, we'll get letters back from our sweet Padmani much faster, too!

Let me encourage you to write a letter to your child today if you haven't done so in a while! And if you are interested in investing in the life of a child, click on the above link or on the one on the left hand sidebar to take you to Compassion's site where you can learn more about this amazing sponsorship opportunity. If you don't think monthly sponsorship is an option for you now, consider donating toward the fund for Christmas gifts; each child- sponsored and non- in the development centers will receive a gift.

An Opportunity to Give

2011-09-26T06:46:00.005-04:00

I wanted to share an opportunity for giving to the needy here in Ukraine. I am not a part of this particular group, but I know a lot of the American ladies and some of the internationals that are members; many in our embassy community donate to the holiday bazaar. This is a huge event here and the proceeds go to wonderful causes.

My friend, Colleen, is heading up the American booth this year and I asked her to send a copy of the letter she has sent out to her friends and family to post. I have omitted the contact information, so if you wish to participate, please e-mail me directly for an address so we don't have that floating all over cyberspace. Note that this is NOT international mailing- I will be giving you our Virginia address where our mail is sorted before being flown over to the embassy. mrsyellowhat @ yahoo dot com

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this! Please feel free to link to it- the more donations, the better (and perhaps we can beat out France and Italy for a change!)!!

May this find you well and enjoying the beginning of autumn in the states. Kyiv has been lovely with sunny skies, yet we can feel winter is on the way. As you may know, I am living in Ukraine this year. It is an interesting country—full of history and culture—but also has some of the neediest people with the least resources. More than 90% of the population of Ukraine is in the needy or low paid segments.

While I am here, I am involved in a wonderful charity organization called International Women’s Club of Kyiv (IWCK). IWCK is a non-profit whose aim is to support local Ukrainian organizations that work directly with the elderly, disabled, children, and women. IWCK delivers groceries to the elderly and homebound, gathers and distributes donations to orphanages and homes, and since 2005 has an amazing grant program. In 2011, our grant programs included medical equipment for children with cancer, an interactive computer system for children with Down syndrome, education for hearing-impaired children, and a horse-riding program for children with cerebral palsy. If you would like to see some of the lives we have touched, please “meet” them here.

The money for these programs and many others mainly comes from a holiday bazaar we hold in December. At the bazaar, each country has a booth where they sell items that can be hard to find here. All of the proceeds go toward our charity work. Thanks to generous donations from so many people last year, we raised nearly $7,000 at the USA booth alone, and are working hard to do better this year.

Making a donation to this year’s USA booth is easy! You can choose one of two ways:

1. Make a cash donation. Just pop a check in the mail today. Make the check out to Colleen Smith, and put IWCK in the memo. You can mail the check to me here. We will use your donation to purchase peanut butter through our commissary to sell at the bazaar. If you chose to send a check, please mail it by Halloween so we can make our exciting peanut butter order. It is our biggest seller!!

2. Make a donation of supplies to sell at the booth. You can go to the post office, get a prepaid priority box, fill it with some of the items I have listed below and mail it to me. Or have your favorite online website (like Amazon) deliver it instead!
• BROWNIE MIX
• FROSTING
• CAKE MIXES (chocolate and vanilla only)
• PANCAKE MIX or BISQUICK
• CHOCOLATE CHIPS
• HALLOWEEN SIZED BAGS of CANDY
• PEPPERMINT CANDY and CANDY CANES
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE BOOKS OF ANY TYPE. THESE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT LAST YEAR AS THEY ARE HARD TO FIND IN KYIV!!!! {note from Tara- these can be used!}

The postage will only cost what it is to ship to my mailing address in Virginia. Please send donated goods by early November, so that they will be received for the bazaar in early December. {another note from T- it takes 4-6 weeks, so by Nov. 1!}

It really is just that easy. We cannot do what we do without the support of you!!! I need your help. This charity is near and dear to my heart. I really feel it is important to help Ukrainians in need while I am living here. [Colleen]

Again, contact me for an address if you wish to donate!

Birthday Wishes

2011-09-20T10:21:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty organized, but sometimes it is just plain hard to get cards out 3 weeks in advance to ensure they are on time to the recipient in the States! Thank goodness for Shutterfly! They make sending cards easy, quick, and affordable!

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Birthday to Uncle B!

"Maa-maa!! I'm Duh-unnnnnn!!!": Confessions of a Home Schooling Mom

2011-09-16T06:32:00.008-04:00

Nope, he wasn't duh-un as in finished with his school work. Actually, he was in the bathroom and was calling me to help clean up the dirty work if you know what I mean.

Which led me to the thought I've had numerous times since my son started kindergarten several weeks ago: what in the world would he do in a different schooling situation?!? And wow! I taught school myself, but the youngest I had were 4th graders and they had this down by then (as far as I knew!). Surely I am not the only mother who is still training her child to take care of business and when these kids go to school, who helps them?! If you are a teacher and graciously take on this service of love, you have my utmost respect!

But back to my kid. I'm just thankful {when I stop to remember I am- because when will he get this?!} that I have the opportunity to wipe the child's hiney myself and coach him on the finer points.

I have a long list of reasons why I enjoy educating our kids at home in addition to the above. Here are a sampling:

I can come to work in my pjs if I absolutely have to. As a rule, I get up 2 hours before the kids and work out, shower and dress, and have time to read and pray before we start breakfast; I'm a huge proponent of mind, body, and soul preparation! But, the option is there!
I can multi-task. I give spelling tests while I cook, I throw in a load of laundry while one has seat work, I can fold a load of clothes while I teach fractions, or fix lunch while discussing a story that had been assigned.
I can actually take a bathroom break whenever.I.need.one.
I don't need a code for my copy machine.
Parent-teacher conferences are a breeze! And the principal is definitely my pal!
When I have a behavior problem with one of my students, I have the authority to administer swift and appropriate discipline. Occassionally, I do write an e-mail or text to the principal asking for a little relief or back-up over the lunch hour.
I always get to go on the field trips.
Even though I technically don't have sick days to stay home, I can still teach from the comfort of my own bed or sofa.
I get to snuggle up in a chair with warm, cuddly little kids when we read- textbooks or stories.
Then I can put them to bed and take a nap in the middle of the day.
And, last but certainly not least on my short list, I thoroughly enjoy getting to be the one to see the light bulbs go on. It is seriously any teacher's "high." Like when this little guy directed play time with his little sister after learning about life in medieval times. My heart just swelled as I listened to him incorporate the information into his make-believe!

I'm thrilled I get to live inside their castle every day!

First Bell

2011-09-14T13:03:00.012-04:00

Last week I mentioned that one of the reasons Mr. YH had a business trip was because he was part of the official U.S. delegation at the First Bell ceremony in Ochakiv, Ukraine. Before I bombard you with a slew of pictures, let me give two pieces of background so that you can better appreciate them.

The United States government has Offices of Defense Cooperation in countries all over the world. Mr. YH works in this office. Part of his work entails overseeing the Humanitarian Assistance program here in Ukraine. The U.S. government has people and procedures in place to award funds to various projects for humanitarian reasons.

This particular school in Ochakiv (southern Ukraine where the Dneiper River meets the Black Sea) was awarded a grant to completely redo the facade of the school on all sides, replace the roof, build awnings, and fix the gymnasium. Jose told me that when the contractors began working, huge chunks of plaster fell off- they had to go down to the original brick and completely redo everything. I think you'll see that it looks amazing now. And if you've ever been to a former Soviet country that hasn't quite lept into the current century yet, you'll agree that little village schools (or most buildings) don't typically look like this. For 2+ months, many citizens would just stand and watch them work on the school. There were so many people at this ceremony-it seemed like the whole town was there!

Secondly, Slavic nations traditionally start school on September 1. They have a "First Bell" ceremony in which the youngest child coming into the first class and the oldest child in the senior class walk around the school yard ushering in the new year by the ringing of a bell. There are poems, speeches, and various other traditions typical to the region and country. Parents whose children are going to school are allowed to miss work to go to the ceremony- it's a big deal. I really enjoyed myself and thought that it is too bad that we Americans don't have something like this to commerate the first day of school in the lives of families.

Ochakiv School #2

380 students, ages 6-17

55 staff members

Official U.S. delegation

Three proud citizens who dressed up for the occassion. They strategically waited until the last possible second to move right infront of the entire U.S./Ukrainian VIPs for the ceremony! It would have not been too big of a deal, but they stood right in front of my kids who then had a hard time seeing.

Members of the first class filing out with their teachers. The white hair poms are a traditional must for girls on the first day of school.

The dancing was my favorite part and these kids were fantastic! I loved the colorful costumes, the ribbons flying, and the smiling faces as they whirled around!

It is tradition in Ukraine that when a guest comes that they are presented with bread and salt on an embroidered cloth (хліб-сіль).

Col. P flew down from EUCOM in Germany.

Close-up of the bread.

First bell ringing-

the first graders held onto streamers with little bells,

and the older student had the big one.

First graders walk under arch

created by the senior class.

After the ceremony outdoors, we met inside for the typical refreshments and toasting.

One of the first grade classes.

A fourth grade class.

This is the most decorated Ukrainian classroom I've ever seen.

Love those white pom poms!

Do you see all the flower bouquets?

All of the children come to school with them for their teacher.

Little YHs enjoying some first grade cake.

They were troopers- we had to get up so early

that we didn't have time for breakfast except

some dry cereal in the van.

I Can't Win

2011-09-13T01:11:00.005-04:00

The Ukrainians are intent on pointing out my bad parenting (their perception).

Duing the summer months here, there are very few that haven't spent time at their dacha or been to the sea. One might ascertain that the majority of people in country- from toddlers to elderly- are as brown as a ginger cookie by the end of August. While we were in Crimea, I was accosted numerous times by the babushkas on the street as to why my children are so white. I'd listen politely to the chastisement, nod and smile, and offer up, "Our choices are red or white," as way of an apology.

We found that fall had indeed arrived to Kyiv upon our return. After 10 days of beautiful weather along the Black Sea, we were chilled as we got out of the van! On Sunday, everyone had a jacket or sweater as we went off to church. On the way home, Big Girl had removed her sweater because things had warmed up and the van was toasty after sitting in the sun a couple of hours. The concierge let me in the door and immediately began fussing at me that it was cold- and what was I thinking as I let that child out with bare arms?!

After years of experience with the babas on this very issue, I shrugged my shoulders and told her I had provided the clothing; she chose not to wear it. She let it go at that because I think she is smitten with Baby Girl, but it certainly won't stop us from making the kids wear enough clothing to overheat just so we can escape future tirades!

Yesterday as we were tumbling out the door to go downstairs to the playground, our neighbor (tighty-whitey man) was just returning home. He fussed at me about the kids having jackets on because, "It's HOT!" {Smile, nod, give the guilty bad parent look, smile again.} As we got in the elevator and I about gagged on the B.O. still hanging stagnate in the air, I decided I could almost believe him.

September in Sevastopal

2011-09-06T12:21:00.004-04:00

Mr. Yellow Hat was part of the official delegation to an event last week

in the southern part of the country, and this week he has business in Sevastopal. He wanted the whole family to make the trip to Crimea, and so once I decided to quit my inner whining about the work involved to get us all here and to enjoy the {possibly} last trip we'll have to the Crimean peninsula, we made it happen.

So here we are, enjoying beautiful Sevastopal on the Black Sea.

We had a few days between events to take some leave

(vacation time in military vernacular).

Sevastopal houses the Black Sea Fleet. During Soviet times, the city was closed- even to Ukrainians. It's a hot tourist destination now. The kids' favorite thing is this huge anchor in a park near our hotel.

Sailors with some shore time-

not sure if they're Russian or Ukrainian.

Babuskas providing some local entertainment to earn a little extra.

We've seen plenty of examples of what not to wear.

We've also enjoyed beautiful sunsets daily.

PSA: Hobby Lobby

2011-08-26T07:01:00.000-04:00

My friend Amy and I talk almost every day. I don't know about her, but it's my therapy.

And sometimes we go shopping together- she on her laptop and me on mine on the other side of town. Yesterday, I called because Zulily had some cute dresses and I needed her opinion on them- one for Big Girl's birthday portrait and the other for another future occassion.

So I pulled the trigger on the dresses. We got to talking about various YH occasions and my plans for them when I made some comment about JoAnn's not having something I wanted and it was too bad Hobby Lobby didn't have online shopping. {insert our lamentations}

And then I pulled up their site and do you know what?!

THEY HAVE ONLINE SHOPPING AND SHIPPING IS ONLY $3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I nearly had tears in my eyes and no, I am not exaggerating (don't judge until you've lived in post-Sovietness with nary a craft store in site!). Dinner preparations forced Amy to slowly put down the cover and step away from her computer. I rejoiced that I had made an extra meatloaf and had thought ahead to pull it out of the freezer to throw in the oven to warm so I could ~~let the kids happily play~~ ignore the kids' arguing while I looked at every.single.department.

We had dinner, my shopping bag full. And once the kids were nestled in for the night, I ~~calmly returned~~ raced back to hook up the VPN and hit the purchase button!

P.S. Did I mention the $3 shipping?!?

Congratulations, Ukraine!

2011-08-24T00:47:00.004-04:00

20 years of independence!

August 24, 2011

A letter from Ambassador Tefft to the nation of Ukraine found here.

Vintage Fork Recipe Card Holder

2011-08-19T00:00:00.009-04:00

My good friend Shelley received the neatest recipe card holder at one of her wedding showers, and I have always loved it. I've never seen another, either. But then I googled something like fork recipe card holder and found this blog. Amy and I were excited because we thought this would be such a unique (and easy) gift to make and give to someone (and something we could do over here).

Pin It

Amy is always brilliant and suggested we practice on a cheap fork before bending a vintage silver plated one. I found some old pieces I keep around for Mr. YH to take to work, got out the pliers and went to work. The first turned out all right, but it just didn't seem quite like Shelley's, and I vaguely remembered hers having the outside tines bent back and the middle two left to hold the card in place. She was gracious enough to send me photos (thanks friend!!) and sure enough, that was the case.

My next step was to find a fork I liked on Ebay, buy it, and then wait a few weeks for it to get over here. It arrived this week and after a little polishing, it looked like this.

I used masking tape around the tines to help mark the place I wanted to bend the tines as well as to protect the finish. In hindsight, I should have put some felt or something there, too. I didn't take any other pictures for a tutorial because I think if you see the finished product, it is pretty self explanatory (and Carmella did a great job on her blog). Also, tines are different lengths and you'll just need to play around with each fork to get it to stand the way you'd like it to.

I'm pretty pleased with the final result

and I only waited 13 years to have my own!!

Oh Yes, She Most Certainly Did

2011-08-17T06:34:00.007-04:00

act like the biggest ham during the last portrait session.

{If you missed my saga about the first time around, and

feel like reading about it, go here.}

Sorry about the quality-

computer/printer issues,

but these were too hilarious not to share.

If you double click on each one, you should be able

to enlarge it; then use your back arrow to return to the post.

These are just 3 proof sheets of about 10...

I got ONE "normal" standing shot and a couple of her sitting.

These sheets are going in the album, too!

End of Third Grade Outing

2011-08-14T09:22:00.010-04:00

Our tradition at the end of the school year is for teacher and student to have a special outing. I had hoped to take Big Girl to a tea room while we were in the States, but it just didn't happen. She had expressed a desire to visit St. Sofia's Cathedral, so during our last week of summer break, we left the younger two with Sveta and headed out together.

Looking out across St. Sofia's square toward St. Michael's.

I actually took this back in May when Sarah was here.

Euro 2012 will be here next May/June,

so there is a lot of reconstruction going on,

and the church is now covered with scaffolding.

Big Girl wanted to climb the bell tower.

The church was built back in the 900's;

the bell tower is a Baroque style and was added later.

The bell says "blessing."

Linucya and Sasha enjoyed the view last October...

This mosaiac was made out of pysanky eggs.

This was the only place you can take pictures inside the church.

Big Girl really enjoyed looking at the artwork inside:
frescos, mosaics, old paintings, etc.

Back outside before we

headed to Mister Snack for lunch.

We walked back to the Golden Gates

where Big Girl posed with Yaroslav the Wise

(prince of the Kyiv Rus period- he's holding a

model of St. Sofia's).

And then we got some yummy ice cream-

she had strawberry and chocolate

and I had banana and chocolate-

and we sat on the rock with the cat statue...

until we were chased off by Ukrainians wanting their photo op.

A very pleasant day!

Next year we'll have The Boy with us!

How Tara Got Her Craft On

2011-08-11T11:21:00.004-04:00

Back in April, Amy and I hosted a shower for a friend.

Then I repurposed the fabric- both girls got a new summer dress

(the one below was slightly adjusted after this photo).

In May, we did the same thing with the birthday trappings.

{We've gone to banners to take away from the swirly pink wallpaper.}

And now the machine is packed away again.

My excuse is that I am not sure it's good to run it through a transformer.

Tropical Smoothie

2011-08-10T10:36:00.004-04:00

In respect to getting great fresh fruits and vegetables here, it's often hit or miss. Oftentimes, our apples are mealy, the bananas are rotten, the price is outrageous or you simply can't find whatever it is you're looking for. We have the amazing blessing of buying in bulk (it doesn't make anything cheaper- it just gives us access to certain foods) from a base in Germany through the embassy, so after having my mom send a blender from Wal Mart (blenders are upwards of $100 here), I have been buying cases of frozen fruits to keep us off the scurvy road.

One of our favorites has just three simple ingredients:

For the five of us, I put about

half a can of coconut milk in first,

followed by 3 ripe bananas,

and a bag of frozen pineapple:

DELICIOUS!

I just placed a bulk order last week and we'll be getting a case (24 cans) of coconut milk at the end of the month. Too bad I didn't know Mega Market had it and the box we got there tastes even better than the canned stuff- almost a toasted coconut flavor! At the rate we're drinking these, however, we'll be sprouting hula skirts before we know it!

Nightlight

2011-08-09T03:37:00.004-04:00

If we don't have our blinds closed,

our entire living/dining room has a blue glow to it.

Tickled My Funny Bone

2011-08-07T15:47:00.004-04:00

It's been said that you can know a lot about a person by what they laugh at...

I totally forgot to write about this back when Baby Girl was potty training. I had some size 2T undies from when Big Girl was little that we pulled out. She surprised us in that the Pooh variety were not the favorites- the plain yellow ones were, and those were the 2 pairs she always asked about. One day she was wearing a pair and had a dirty accident. Once we got them off and I emptied the contents in the toilet, I swished them around in some clean toilet water and then flushed again. Turns out those German toilets have very strong water pressure and it sucked those panties right down while Baby Girl watched in horror. Still makes me laugh out loud!
I was hurrying one morning to get ready and grabbed my eyeliner. I was horrified that something was suddenly wrong with my eye! Turns out, MKay's eye liner and lip liner come in the same type of tubes. What's worse- I've done it twice now!
Several weeks ago, Mr. YH walked out for work and our neighbor's door was open. I mentioned later on that I thought they'd accidentally left their outer door open. He told me that no, the guy was at the door taking delivery of his water...in his tighty whities. Eww- gross! I thanked the Lord again the other day that I was not subjected to the scene because he talked to me down at the playground (I'd never met him) and I think it would have just been awkward- you know?!

ABC- 123!

2011-08-05T10:52:00.005-04:00

We've had a busy week. We started school on Monday so that we can have one semester done by Christmas. It's not because I'm overly ambitious; it's mere practicality because we are now on the countdown until moving time. We should find out January-ish where we'll be headed next, and I'd like to have the second semester done by the first of May so I can have a couple of weeks to organize the house and then pack it all up and send it on its way back to the States.

Our books were ordered before we left for the States, and then I ordered the final things last month and spent a little bit of time each day preparing. This year the Yellow Hat Academy has one preschooler, one kindergartener, and a 4th grader.

{I bought this table for Big Girl when we returned
to the States from Ukraine
back in 2005! All 3 have now used this "desk."}

She has a flair about her...

He is SO excited to learn to read!

This is his "secret code" workbook. Ha!

We've got a bean and corn experiment going on the window sill...

Lunch time comes so quickly now!

Today, each of them found a coupon in their last folder
to pick out the treat of their choice at the store
this afternoon- exciting stuff!
They worked hard for me this week!

The Meaning of a Name

2011-07-24T08:03:00.006-04:00

This morning, our pastor announced the name of a baby girl born to a family in the congretation this week. This family is from Africa, and the name means "God worthy to be praised." Isn't that awesome?!

Names are powerful and meaningful. I don't think there is a culture on earth where that statement would not be true because the God who introduced us to Himself as "I AM" created us in His image and has woven that truth into our very fiber.

My parents chose "Tara" because my mom is from Atlanta (and married a Yankee) and wanted a southern name for her daughter. Tara is the plantation in Gone With the Wind. My middle name, Rebecca, is my aunt's name.

We chose our children's names carefully, too. Big Girl's name was chosen because it is also a Ukrainian name and we liked that it was assoicated with wisdom. Her middle name was chosen for her great grandmother who was a wise, godly woman. The Boy's name is Biblical and we chose it because God heard our prayer for a boy. His middle name is his great grandfather's name- Erving.

My pregnancy with Baby Girl was a complete shock, and quite honestly, I struggled with the idea of another baby. We also had a hard year the year I was pregnant with her- Mr. YH had a miserable job that put a great deal of stress on the entire family. Jonah 2:8 was a verse that meant a great deal to me. When it came time to pick a middle name, Grace it was. Her name was the only one we did not pick based on meaning. We brought her home, and I remember sitting up in the bonus room with Mr. YH and wondering aloud if we had chosen the right name. Then we looked it up and guess what it meant? Grace. I cried because isn't that so like God to give us a double portion of His grace just because He wants to?!

What is the story behind a name (or names) you value?

Did I Really Say That?!

2011-07-21T07:48:00.003-04:00

Me to a certain three year old this morning: "Can you please stop dusting the dresser with your undies and just put them on?"

And then I momentarily stood in the hall reflecting on what had just come out of my mouth. I'm only 8.5 years into this parenting adventure...I have no doubt the most bizarre statements {and situations!} are yet to come!

I would love some good laughs-

what has come out of your mouth lately parenting (or otherwise)?!

Bunny Brains

2011-07-13T12:39:00.005-04:00

In case you have never heard or have forgotten, Bunny has a music box for a brain which makes washing him a bit problematic. {Hint to expecting moms: don't buy your child an animal intended for longterm bonding that has a music box inside! You're welcome.} Anyway, although it was not Bunny's turn to go back to the States, he won the trip so he could get a bath in Gigi's American washing machine:

{Prayers: Please, God, let him still sing...}

A little padding in the dryer...

Pleased as punch with a softer, cleaner, and better smelling Bunny.

Original Bunny story here.

Rainy Day Comfort Food

2011-07-06T06:19:00.004-04:00

We're having a thunderstorm today. Thankfully, the kids and I made it down to the store and back before the deluge. While they occupied themselves, I made homemade tomato soup.

source

My mother-in-law gave me this recipe;

I'll have to ask her what book it is from and I'll add it later.

Creamy Tomato Soup

1/2 cup butter

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 t. thyme

1 t. basil

salt and pepper to taste

2 (14.5 oz.) cans Italian-stewed tomatoes, drained

3 T. tomato paste

4 T. flour

3 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided

1 t. sugar

1 cup heavy cream or half 'n half

Heat the butter and oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, thyme, basil, salt and pepper; saute 3-4 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 20 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and 5 tablespoons chicken broth; stir into the soup. Add the remaining broth and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occassionally. Puree the soup in a blender and return it to the pot, or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Stir in the sugar and cream; simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through.

{I will use less thyme next time (ha!) and I substituted gluten free flour and rice milk for the flour and cream.}

What is your favorite food on a rainy day?

Dear America

2011-07-04T05:57:00.003-04:00

3 weeks ago we landed in Chicago and it was such a great feeling to stand in the "resident" line. After living overseas in a country still recovering from the great socialism experiment where people would give anything to even visit you, I don't take having an American passport in hand for granted. (Neither do I mind the order of a line.)

I saw a robin sitting on a sign as we rode the bus to the rental car agency, and I smiled because I haven't seen one for a year. Who knew a little bird would be such a welcome sight?

The Boy asked his daddy last night when we could "go back to America not just for a trip." We all miss you.

Happy Birthday!

YH FYI

2011-06-18T18:26:00.003-04:00

That'd be Yellow Hat For Your Information {because I am a military spouse and we are forced to learn ridiculous amounts of acronyms to function and now it creeps into my everyday habits}.

So, after being in the States for just over 48 hours, we had our annual summertime trip to the E.R.

Factoids: The Boy received a laceration between his eyebrows after a close encounter with the bottom of a Tinker Toy bucket that was catapulted at him by my neice. An hour and half and 2 steri strips later, we returned to my parents'.

Let's hope the rest of our vacation is completely boring!

Birthday Thank Yous from Shutterfly

2011-06-08T02:46:00.003-04:00

I know that there are a lot of sites for taking care of your photos online, but I'm thrilled that I discovered Shutterfly years ago. My only regret is that I never explored their albums until after I completed five 300-page books of all our traveling the first time we lived in Ukraine (20 countries!)!

The options for making greeting cards have become one of my favorite features of the company. It allows me to get cute thank you notes out in a timely manner with the stamp and address option.

I was making Baby Girl's cards today and was able to use the code "DADCARD" for five free cards. I loved being able to put up to 6 additional photos in the inside of the card (on each side!) to share more cuteness- because, really, who can get enough of this little imp!? So hop on over and see the myriad of possibilities!!

{I will receive a $10 credit from Shutterfly for posting this.}

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

P.S Don't forget to visit Sarah- (http://sarahhisprincess.blogspot.com/). She has all her Kyiv posts up and it'd be fun for you to see the city through her eyes!

The Road Home

2011-06-07T07:10:00.005-04:00

Ok, folks, nearly a month after our return, I'm wrapping this vacation up!

We {sadly} left Germany and drove through Austria with Bratislava, Slovakia

being our destination for the first day of driving.

Unfortunately, we were delayed

on the highway in Austria due to an accident which backed things up,

well, for most of the way east in the country!

We pulled into town in time for dinner and were

able to walk around the old city for a few hours before hitting the sack.

Waiting for dinner- someone was very tired!

Funny sculpture on the street;

the sign- which I didn't even notice at first-

said "men at work."

Bratislava had a really unique feel to it.

We could tell they very much enjoyed their hockey!

Old town-

we were able to see the old gate

and where the moat used to be around the walls.

This photo, for some reason,

reminded me of Riga, Latvia.

This castle would have been fun to visit had time permitted.

We just caught glimpses as we drove over the bridge, though.

The following day- Mother's Day-

was spent driving through Hungary.

Thanks to their EU membership and euros thrown

their way, the road was glorious throughout the whole country.

And then we got to the southwestern border of Ukraine

and were able to make it through fairly quickly;

a movie in the DVD player for the kids and

diplomatic status is nice to have for events such as these!

We stayed 2 nights in Uzghorod which is in Zacarpathia

/Za'-car-paht-iya/ and literally means

"behind the Carpathians."

We visited this castle in town.

And then we decided that, depending on the road conditions, we'd push

through and try to get back to Kyiv in one day.

Driving through the Carpathians was lovely, and it was

interesting to see the different industry there (forestry was a big one).

The kids were terrific travelers and a lot of fun to be with.

But we were happy to park the van!

We unloaded at the front door in front of the washing machine

and began that chore. My servants were back to work!

Kyiv

2011-06-05T04:58:00.001-04:00

Sarah is posting about her stay with us in Kyiv. It's always fun to see something familiar through fresh eyes. She has access to all of my photos as well as many great ones she took, so hop on over to her blog and bookmark it so you can see the city!

Biased About My Birthday Baby

2011-05-29T15:44:00.003-04:00

A little teaser until I can do a lengthier post....

I personally think she is pretty darn cute!

Germany, Part 3

2011-05-27T23:01:00.007-04:00

Our last full day was beautiful.

The children and I took one last walk by the lake

while Mr. YH had his final meeting.

See the fish down there? The water was so clear.

We took a tram to the top of the highest peak

after lunch. That's Austria behind us.

X marks the spot-

or in this case, the medallion marks the highest spot!

The lake from above.

That evening we met a college friend and his wife

for dinner in town. They drove down from Stuttgart.

E went from blue to green, bless his heart.

(AF to Army)

Next up, Bratislava and Uzhgorod.

But for now, it's 6:30 a.m. and I

need to decorate a cake.

We're going to a Ukrainian wedding today...

and it's Bunco night.

Germany, Part 2

2011-05-26T08:45:00.004-04:00

One afternoon while Baby Girl was taking her afternoon nap, Mr. YH had a conference call and so the big kids and I took off for a walk by the lake. We stopped for pretzels, too.

A cow with a bell- each one had a bell and they sounded

like windchimes out there at the foot of the mountains.

We saw these as we'd drive into town.

A little alpine glow at sunset.

I'll get the rest up soon....my friend, Sarah, arrived last Saturday and we've been on the go seeing Kyiv. Baby Girl will be 3 on Sunday, so the "kitty" party is in the works. We're going to the States next month. And oh.my.word! LIFE!! Sloooooooow down!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not caught up with my photos albums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Germany, Part 1

2011-05-21T07:56:00.003-04:00

In the mornings after breakfast or during nap time, we had school time.

The Boy: beginning to read

Big Girl: Finishing up 3rd grade (we ended this past Thursday!)

Baby Girl: plays a mean game of Uno and has learned her colors this way!

Then we 'd take walks alongside the lake and feed our feathered friends.

When Daddy didn't have to work,

we ran errands on base

and stopped to throw rocks in the little creek.

Pure delight for this one!

Happy Mother's Day!!

2011-05-08T00:00:00.001-04:00

Mr. YH had a conference this past week in Garmisch, so we decided that we'd pay the extra for the whole family to come along, bookending the meetings with vacation time. Although Mr. YH had to work, I did vacation. It's wonderful to go sightseeing, but this past week at the Eibsee Hotel was a gift to me. The hotel staff had wonderful breakfasts for us in the restaurant that looks out at the lake, they cleaned our room, the children did some schooling, and we were able to take long walks beside the lake at the base of the mountains.

It was pristine here.

Quiet.

And I was able to devote myself to simply enjoying my children.

I tear up if I spend more than a few seconds thinking on it.

Have a great day celebrating motherhood!

We're on the road again headed back to Ukraine.

P.S. The family gave me a cow bell for a gift. It's exactly what I wanted because every single cow in the fields had a bell around its neck, and they sounded like wind chimes as we drove by. I rang about 10 of them in the store until I got the perfect sound from one!

Short Stop in Salzburg

2011-05-06T16:14:00.003-04:00

On our way to Germany, we stopped in Salzburg and spent a couple of hours walking around. I would have loved to have taken a Sound of Music tour and spent more time exploring, but such was the schedule and sometimes traveling with young children places its own parameters on the types of excursions we can take. It was certainly beautiful as you will see:

Vienna: After Lunch

2011-05-05T15:33:00.009-04:00

We hopped on the metro (so nice compared to our Soviet model in Kyiv)

and headed out to the summer palace where the oldest zoo

in Europe is housed. We had a fantastic afternoon!

The "Happy Hippos"

These guys are a lot bigger out of the water!

Big Girl was so excited to see the spectacled bear

she had read about in science.

These cranes put on a loud show for us!

The Boy's favorite:

This little one is quite dramatic

with her explanations

and gets her hands involved-

we're always laughing!

Back into town for supper with a stop at
St. Stephen's Cathedral.

We entered right as the mass was beginning;

I love a good organ

{it backs up a trumpet quite well-

you musicians will understand that! ha!}.

They're doing some reconstruction,

so the front was partially covered with a screen.

Vienna in the a.m.

2011-05-05T06:52:00.004-04:00

The Hofburg Palace where the Spanish Riding School is located.

We attended the morning exercises of the Lipizzaner stallions.

City Hall in the distance

from the palace gardens.

6 years ago, Big Girl wore this same outfit when we were in Holland.

I had to get a picture in front of some tulips!

City Hall-
I'm drawn to the long, repeating archways
and lanterns!

Lunch at the Bier Garden.

WW: Baby Girl & Our Balcony View in Bavaria

2011-05-04T08:54:00.003-04:00

{Salzburg, Austria}

{ Bavaria- early a.m.}

Krakow

2011-05-03T11:34:00.003-04:00

The Market Square- Cloth Hall, St. Mary's, and pigeons.

The Road To Lviv

2011-05-02T09:40:00.008-04:00

Ok, friends! The first installment with photos. I decided to put a lot on this post so you can see some of what we do in Ukraine. The first were snapped from the Honda so perhaps you'll feel like you were really in the van, too. Ha!

An old Lada.

Part of an old collective farm.

This is why my girls wear dresses when we travel.

And never leave home without your own TP

(that you throw in the trash can).

So you can see how high it was.

Bikers passing a Lada.

Loved this road sign,

and sure enough-

all that was ahead was a little shack selling chai (tea)!

Storks are a common sight in the villages.

They believe a stork's nest in the yard bring good luck.

I love seeing these!

Another book for kids: The Wheel on the School

(Meindert DeJong)

which is about some Dutch children who look for

a wheel for storks to build a nest upon.

{anything by this author has been good!}

A cemetary- I had a hard time getting photos as we were zipping by.

But, the crosses on the graves are tall and are the Orthodox kind.

This last weekend was a time when families go to the graves and have

a family reunion of sorts- a picnic- and they bring flowers.

This happens yearly the weekend after Easter.

A "veez"- horse-drawn cart.

Standard Soviet-ness: there are statues all over;

this one happens to be leaping over the highway.

The guy the university was named for- Ivan Franko.

The university Mr. YH should have gone to when he was a scholar.

They're a little more progressive.

A walk through the park.

Ice cream is always better with friends.

Gates to some palace- I think it's an art museum now.

You can see the Austian-Hungarian influence.

A little whimsy.

Taras Schevchenko- national poet that is highly revered.

Typical sight in Ukraine- visiting on a park bench.

Game time.

Large pysanky-type egg in the square.

Real bunnies were hopping around.

Opera House.

Couples getting married in Ukraine walk around to various monuments in town

to have their wedding pictures taken. Wish you could have seen the front of

this dress- see-through cut-outs. Eek!

The flag says "Our Ukraine" and sports the orange from the Orange Revolution

that happened in 2004 (the last time we lived here). Western Ukraine has a much

different feel than Kyiv and the eastern part of the nation-very nationalistic

and we love it that they speak clean Ukrainian!

This crowd was singing Easter songs together.

Can you see the national shirts?

The emboridery is beautiful.

Baby Girl and her pony Soona.

Rides were 10 UAH (about $1.25)

and we've gotten a lot of mileage out of that!

Baby Girl insists we return for her pony in "Luh-biv."

Big Girl and her pony Mustang.

Breakdancing always brings a crowd.

The country seems to want to experience

everything they were denied during Soviet times...

This is one of my favorite things to see in the parks:

older men playing chess and other board games

with a group of onlookers crowded around.

All over Ukraine (and the former USSR),

you'll find memorials and plaques on the sides of buildings.

I just liked the top of this building with the soldiers.

Austria

2011-04-29T15:27:00.003-04:00

We're going to be parking ourselves for a week- once we get there, I'll try to put some photos up. Seriously, there are not too many of you who read this faithfully- I ought to just add you to my shutterfly "in" list so you can see them all. I'll think on that one.

So, speaking of photos- got lots of great ones today. First off, our oldest was thrilled beyone measure to see the Lipizzaner horses in the Spanish Riding School at the Hofburg Palace go through their morning exercises. Photos were not allowed (and I am a rule follower!), but you can go here if you want to see one and read a little more. We were thrilled that one practiced the levade right in front of us as well as the capriole. If you have an elementary aged child, Marguerite Henry wrote a neat book called The White Stallion of Lipizzathat we really enjoyed in Big Girl's second grade curriculum.

From there, we walked around the palace grounds a little, going to places the book mentioned. We headed through the old gardens and then headed to a tall spire which turned out to be City Hall. Lunch was calling us, so we took our kids to a beer garden. Baby Girl promptly discovered bird doo on my seat cover (thank you, sweet girl) before I sat down and stuck her finger in it. On our way to the bathroom inside, I caught a glimpse of the royal wedding and was so pleased Kate wore her hair down.

Next, we hopped on the U-Bahn and went to the Schonbrunn Palace where the Vienna Zoo is housed. The kids were estactic and we enjoyed the afternoon there. Baby Girl made me laugh when she asked to see the "Happy Hippos." This is not the game; she would be speaking of the super yummy kinder treat the Germans have called the "Happy Hippo" and she received these when she made a significant deposit while we potty trained (if you get my drift). It was so fun to be in a kid friendly place where the animals are taken care of, the exhibits amazing, and where people follow the rules....the Kyiv zoo is so pathetic right now that I refuse to take the children.

From there, we made our way back into town and went to St. Stephan's cathedral. We walked inside just as a mass was beginning and the organ was playing- so, as a person who holds a masters degree in orchestral instrument performance, I felt like I didn't totally neglect that side of Vienna! Some day, I'd love to come back when I can do more adult things like go to classical concerts!

After dinner, we finished the night off in the square in front of the cathedral buying my piece of memorabilia art and watching a street performer before heading back to our apartment. The kids are in bed and Mr. YH and I debriefed over Lindt chocolate.

On that note, I bid you all adieu- I am ready for bed!!

Rest Stop

2011-04-28T14:59:00.003-04:00

A few quick bullets from our European vacation thus far:
.
*Whew! How is that sitting in a car all day {and not being the driver} can be so exhausting?!

*Thank goodness for google translate when you need to do laundry in a foreign labeled machine! But what in the world is "colorful kitchen wash?!"

*All three of our kids have been struggling with pride and it has been manifesting itself in various ways. It's super annoying when we're all in the van together.

*Most expensive tank of gas we've ever purchased: $110 to fill up the Honda today. Even more than what we paid leaving Poland this morning, we paid $10/gallon. Ouch!

*We eat PB and J on the road (a must with gas at that price!), and we got some soft sandwich bread in Poland. Oh my goodness- the difference is amazing!

*Answer to last blog challenge: that was Wavel Hill in Krakow, Poland. We were there in 2004 and it was just as lovely this time. The kids had a blast, and so far, that was the best lodging we've had.

*Baby Girl wanted to chase the "chickens" in the main square yesterday- pure glee- can't wait to show you the pictures.

Where in the World

2011-04-26T15:17:00.006-04:00

are the Yellow Hats?

20 bloggy points if you guess correctly!

We began our 2011 European Vacation yesterday.

This is our second stop, but oh.my.word. -

crossing the border produced instantaneous smooth roadyways,

but they were one-lane with heavy traffic

and it took all.day.long. to get here.

Looking forward to a day of sight seeing!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I really need to learn to use my camera and how to photoshop. But that's what sister-in-laws are for! Hope you had a blessed day!

Pinned!

2011-04-11T10:41:00.005-04:00

Last Monday, Major YH was officially promoted to Lt. Colonel in the USAF. Mr. YH's boss spoke, and then Ambassador Tefft had some kind words before the orders were read.

The pinning-on.

The ambassador (and Big Girl) did one side and I did the other.

When the formalities were done,

we re-convened with about 50 friends and colleagues

in the conference room for a reception.

{What is up with blogger?!? My spacing is weird!}

S.O.S.

2011-04-06T08:45:00.002-04:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this fall. I really want to honor them in some way...being across the ocean makes that a bit tricky to pull off. For their 30th, we ordered this book from Exposures and sent out the pages to family and friends. A friend of theirs from church (who is no longer there) helped plan a little party, complete with a cake that was similar to their wedding cake, and presented the book to them on our behalf (we were in Alaska at the time). Although I have two brothers, one will not participate and the other may give minimal help.

Please share what you've done, heard done,
what you'd love to have done for you-
I'm open to ideas!!

What Not to Wear

2011-04-03T14:18:00.003-04:00

The Bible study girls and I went to dinner
at Oliva tonight to celebrate Amy's birthday.
This was a fellow diner.
Although the other Tara will attest
to it being quite warm in the restaurant,
this is simply the typical attire in our host country.

That's your cultural tidbit for the day.

Confessions

2011-03-29T06:40:00.000-04:00

I will not be visiting ~~the zoo in the Bronx~~ New York ~~city~~ state any time soon. I hate snakes. I hate them so much that I even wrote one of my first "papers" about that in the first grade.

I miss: fresh fruit that is not mealy; fresh, organic milk; soft sandwich bread; washing machines that fit more than two sets of twin sheets; grass; going to a grocery store and finding rare things like tomatoes in stock; not having to buy in bulk; being able to control the inside temperature; fresh air; playgrounds without dog doo-doo, broken bottles, cigarette butts, and trash; walking out to get my own mail; toilet paper that actually works well; going to one store for our household needs rather than 4 or 5 and still not finding what I need; and I'll stop there before I get depressed. {But I have a lot to be thankful for, too!!}

When our kids ask stupid questions, we tell them, "That's a waste of time question" so that they'll rethink. Sometimes I want to say that to adults.

"People's" actions can be really disappointing. It takes a lot of energy to keep my expectations low and my thoughts pure.

I hated Ukraine on Saturday morning when, after putting my token in the hole and moving through the turnstile to have the gate close and block me, I stepped back and tried again only to have that gate close on my knee (except close is too general- they SLAM!) and then realized the stupid guy in the booth did it on purpose. When he finally got his lazy bottom up and came over to me, he said I had too many bags (2 like I always have and don't get me started on what the locals carry) and needed to go through a different turnstile. The two hours I had just spent leading a study on humility went out the window as I gave him a little earful in English. I have a bruise and it hurts.

My missionary friend Helen came over for a couple of hours this morning. She is British and married to an American from Kentucky- the accent mix is priceless. I love drinking tea with her and it's the closest I've been to England. Her family is amazing. I love her friendship and will be selfishly sad when they move to Crimea this summer to continue their ministry.

I'm making Muddy Buddies and Monkey Bread for our small group tonight.

I think I've decided what I want Sarah to bring me in May: one bottle of Paul Mitchell #3 clarifying shampoo and a bottle of Trader Joe's vanilla. {I'll e-mail you, S!}

Speaking of hair, I decided that if I figured on X $/month for hair, then X hryvnia was not too outrageous for a hair cut if I walked out of the salon happy. So I made an appointment downstairs and Dima cut my hair. He spoke Russian and seemed to understand my Ukrainian as I firmly told him he should do it the same way, only taking 3 or so cm off and he was NOT to give me Ukrainian layers. He washed my hair for 15 minutes- that was worth the hryvnia right there. He did a good job and I don't have to wear a bag on my head.

Best money spent monthly: $7.99 net.flix so the kids can watch two episodes of Blues Clues/day during the insane hour before supper. It's worth the trade-off: listening to them sing everything to the tune of the theme song.

I got my Hip Hostess apron in the mail. Love it. And I feel hip.

My friend Parvina gave me some dangly earrings for Christmas because she thought they matched my eyes. Big dangly jewelry is out of my comfort zone, but I figured if she thought I could pull them off, then I would give them a whirl. I'm wild like that, I tell ya!

Nap time has saved you from further ramblings and confessions!

An Un-princess-like Snort from Mama

2011-03-23T02:43:00.007-04:00

This morning at breakfast The Boy was showing and telling his daddy about the paper airplane he made with some nose art {scary face- it's a Thunderbolt}. The conversation moved on to why Mr. YH chose cargo planes over fighter and what The Boy anticipates flying one day.

Baby Girl piped in with, "I want a pink plane."

"You could have a princess plane," responded her brother.

"NO. I don't want a princess plane. I want a pink plane."

"Well, I think we saw a brown plane with a princess on it when we were at the museum," he informed us.

I will say this- American princesses sure are patriotic!

{And if this is what he thinks a princess looks like,
we're in a heap of trouble!!!!!}

(image credit)

Master Bedroom Re-do and Tour

2011-03-21T04:54:00.002-04:00

Hang with me- I'm going to give the nitty-gritty details of this bedding and then I'll show you the room as a whole!

A couple of years ago, I told Mr. YH our 10 year anniversary was coming up and we really needed to get some new bedding. I started to search for something we both liked and that was classy/neutral enough to withstand trends and last us another 10 years! Right after we arrived here, I got a Restoration Hardware catalog and there it was! So began the construction...

(It was hard to get pictures in here- our overhead light is gone-
long story- don't even get me started on how many
U.krain.ians. it takes to change a light bulb!)

Back in the summer, I found a queen sized ivory matelasse coverlet on JCPenney.com on sale for $30 with free shipping. Sold! I bought a twin sized coverlet to match the one on the end of the bed and I had Euro sized shams made from it (the coverlet+cost to have them made+multiple taxi rides to go to the seamstress shop cost me less than one sham from RH!). I got a set of Euro sized pillows on Overstock.com. I found our duvet on Overstock.com, too. It's a down alternative, fantastically warm, and the price was just right! Plus, love the cheap shipping!

So, I waited and waited (and prayed) for a sale or coupon of some sort for RH. I finally found a code to get a small percentage off and pulled the trigger on the duvet cover and shams with Mr. YH's blessing.

Then do you know that I completely panicked?! I got the duvet (from Overstock) first and tried it on the bed. Although I had checked measurements multiple times and knew it was not going to quite cover the box spring on both sides, I was a bit surprised. And I thought that maybe I ought to change my order to a king size. I measured again and again, and decided that I had chosen the right size. We have a sleigh bed, and my personal preference is that the wooden side rails show, so I didn't want a long comforter, and I didn't want a dust ruffle because it'd either have to be tucked behind the rails or cover them up. ARGH! For heaven's sake! I am overseas and can't just run these back to the store or hop on over to the post office to mail a return! Here I had spent a ton of money on really nice bedding, but didn't want our box spring showing! So I wrote a designer in Atlanta. {I get a little bold like that when I'm desperate.) And then I pulled out the catalog pictures again and studied them. And I mean, I studied them! I had heard of using another fitted sheet on the box spring before, but they looked like they had used something a bit thicker. Sure enough, when I looked on the web site, there was a matelasse box spring cover! Who knew such things existed!? Did you know about these? Seriously, I am so clueless and I attribute this to staying out of the bedding section for nearly 10 years!

Anyway, it was a whopping $80 and I just couldn't justify that. So I googled and I found one that looked very similar on Amazon.com for only $39 and the reviews were from people who had been on Restoration Hardware's site and thought theirs were a tad overpriced, too. Put it in my cart and bought it. And when I checked my e-mail a few days later, the designer had written back with the exact suggestion- a box spring cover.

When the cover and shams arrived, I was almost scared to open the package for fear they wouldn't be as lovely as the picture portrayed. I breathed a sigh of relief because the fabric and quality is beautiful. Washed those babies up (because I am currently freaked out about bed bugs), ironed them (would you expect anything less from me?!), and put them on the bed- LOVE. When the box spring cover came (which you can't see in this photo), it really did give the bed a finished look.

I also scoured Lands End overstocks and found a set of ivory sheets- queen size- for $30 and free shipping! And then when they came, I kicked myself for only ordering one set because they are fantastic! They're long on the sides and I promise Mr. YH and I have not had to fight over sheets since they've been on the bed! I was able to get another discounted set from the same company- just as wonderful as the first!

We still need a few throw pillows, but I haven't found what I want yet. You will also notice there is no artwork above the bed. We had a big iron piece we used previously, and I decided I'm over that and didn't even ask the embassy guys drilling holes into the cement walls to put it up. I had hoped to get something on our anniversary trip (that never happened) to Rome , but we have some trips coming up that I think might provide something I'm looking for. I'm the type of decorator that would rather have nothing than to buy something for temporary use and then have to deal with getting rid of it...that's what moving all over the world can do to a person- I'm super picky about what comes into the house and what I have to unpack each time we move, so I'll wait until I find exactly what I'm looking for!

I splurged on a new lamp, too (splurge meaning I didn't get it at Wal Mart). I looked and looked for a crystal lamp that had a happy medium between modern and traditional- I found this one at Lamps Plus online and waited for a good sale and coupon code to come up before ordering. {Big Girl made that basket for me for Christmas- obviously, I must use it for a reasonable amount of time!}

Our room is not four walls- lots of small and angled walls.
I believe the intention was for the bed to go where the dresser is.
There are two outlets on each side and hiding behind each of those
pictures is a set of wires for light fixtures that were never installed.
The crown molding is very pretty; the wallpaper- not so much.

I also got some topiaries from Ballards.
These are the angel vine and if I lived stateside,
I would have returned them. The leaves
are plastic-y looking and I don't
like fake plants to be so fake looking;
they're definitely okay from a distance.
(The photo was taken in Venice
from the Doge's Palace several years ago.)

That would be a safe sticking out of the wall (came with the place).

Classy, I know. Don't you all run out at the same time to get your own!
Mr. YH keeps his weights in here, too.

On the opposite side, is our mirrored column that we tried to cover up a little.
Frankly, it's quite creepy and I freak myself out
when I walk by sometimes (it's mirrored on the back, too).

The hall behind the column:

the door you see straight ahead goes into the living room,
and the one behind me goes into the long foyer.
The door to the left is the master bathroom.

(if you haven't seen those rooms, they're labeled Kyiv apt)

You can see the column a little better here. It took some getting used to so we didn't run into it if we got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. You might think the full length mirror is a nice feature right there at the bathroom, but there are actually four panels and the seam hits about mid-face, so that is a bit strange when hoping for an accurate view of oneself!

There you have it- the Yellow Hat love nest. {wink}

Happiness

2011-03-18T06:53:00.003-04:00

Mercy!
Looking at my March blog titles,
you'd think every other day was simply awful!
I just can't stay at the pity party too long,
so here are a few bits of happiness from
inside the Yellow Hat:

Those M&M cookies I talked about here.

I am not sure it's the exact recipe my mom had, but they were tasty!

Big Girl saved her money and bought herself
a half-sized guitar.
The pouch delivered yesterday.

I remember saving my money for what seemed like for.ev.er.
when I was about 9 years old.
And then I rode my bike down to the Ben Franklin (I'm not even kidding)
and bought myself the metal unicorn earring tree I had my eye on for weeks.
Oh, what a happy day when I brought that thing
home and got to display my jewels!
I'm thinking my daughter not only has better taste, she has more sense!

How about you?!
What did you save your money for as a kid?