Monday, June 29, 2009

Bible Stories

Every night I've been reading the Bible to the boys. It is a great story Bible with pictures and questions and they absolutely love it. In fact it helps me get them to want to go to bed. I read the story and ask the boys questions and when Tony comes up to tell them good night they retell him the story so he'll know it too. It is so amazing to hear them to retell the stories and the details they remember. Even little Mackie surprises me ever night.

The other night we read about Hannah and Samuel. When we got to the part about Hannah giving Samuel to Eli, Brady cried. We tried to explain it to him how Eli became like his dad and reassure him that he wasn't going to live with an old scary priest but there was no consoling him. He was just so upset that Samuel didn't get to live with his mommy. His heart is so precious and tender, and he feels things so strongly.

Tonight we read about how David became king and brought the ark back from the Philistines. We've seen the ark twice in our picture Bible so far and Brady seems to be following. I took this opportunity to talk about how when Jesus came, God's spirit didn't dwell in a box he lives in our heart. Mac said "Jesus isn't in our house" and I said "yes he is, you can't see him with your eyes but you see him with your heart, that's where he lives" -- Mackie said "I doesn't live in my heart, he lives in my belly." --- it was so funny and caught me off guard.

Unfortunately there is a lot of killing and dying in the Old Testament but the stories are really good. I can't wait to get to the stories about Jesus. Reading the Bible with my boys has been my most rewarding spiritual endeavor this year and it fills my heart to over flowing. It's a kiss from the King.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Brady's program

Brady is the little boy in the black hat. He is also wearing a plaid shirt and an apron. He is supposed to be a farmer and they were reinacting an ancient greek political play where the people are electing a leader. They choose the one who passes out sausages so they will never go hungry. A lot of people got in the way and you can hear Mac's voice asking where Brady is. Chaos.

O Mikros Pringipas

This is the name of the school that Brady and Mac go to. It is really cute and they have a good time. This is their summer program. It was really cute but there was chaos too. Mac was supposed to be a dancer but as you can see from his video he chickened out and spent the rest of the program on my lap. This contributed to the shaky nature of Brady's video but I thought you'd enjoy them anyways. I know that it isn't very easy for them since they don't speak much greek yet, but they are doing a great job.

Paging Dr. Brady


Tony and Brady were running an errand the other day and Tony was asking him questions. One of the things Tony asked was "Brady what do you want to be when you grow up." Usually Brady says "I don't know.". This time however was the first time Brady had an answer. He said "I want to be a doctor." Actually I think Brady would be a great doctor. He is really smart and loves to learn and he is so compassionate and helpful. When someone is hurt or upset he always tries to make them feel better. So now we sometimes call him Dr. Brady. He really likes it.

In the Navy




So Tony turned 30 last Sunday - it was a great day of celebration. We just finished up with a Save Europe's Children team and our good friend Sara left for Ireland. I got my first babysitter since I've lived here. There is another American family that lives close to us and has teenage daughters and they are awesome. We went with our Greek friends Nina and Thomas (you pronounce the TH when you say it in greek). We went to the only steak place in the city and had a great time. It was election day here so most greeks had returned to their village to vote. There were 2 American ships at the port in Thessaloniki for the weekend pooring about 3000 Americans onto greek soil. Since most of the greeks were gone just about everyone we passed was American. I could understand everyones' conversation without even trying. We spent most of the time explaining the americans to our friends speaking only in greek. It was tough but really fun. The next day we connected with the chaplin and he gave us a tour. Tony was excited because they had Mt. Dew on the ship but unfortunately it was all gone. We took the boys with us to the ship and it was really hot and they were really tired but it was quite an experience. I was holding Mac most of the time because he was so sleepy. At one point he randomly licked my arm.... my whole arm. He said "you taste like playdough mommy".

Mac's Girlfriend


We said goodbye to a good friend last week, Miss Shannon. Shannon was studying abroad here in Thess this semester but it came to end and she returned to Florida. We connected because she was involved with her Chi Alpha group and met at the Summit over New Year's. Mac was in love with Shannon. She was #5 in his love tank. He went with Tony to take her to the airport and cried as she left. Now everyone plane that goes by he asks "Is that Miss Shannon?".

Thank You Kansas


We have been here there and everywhere of late here in Greece. We've been continuing to learn Greek and build relationships and are preparing for our first team. We had a great visit with Pop Pop Rando and Grandma Linda from Wichita and they came with oodles of stuff for us from home which was so awesome. We also connected with their church who did a 2 day trip here in Greece before their trip to Israel. Recently we got together with all the A/G personnel here in the Balkans, and the Kansas group was so fantastic to bring things for all of them. We did a little auction Survivor style and had a fun time. I am always amazed at the generosity of people and nothing has touched my heart as deeply as this. We are so grateful for the ways God provides through the goodness of people.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

I'll kick you birds


So I just have to write this for memory sake. The summer before last we took a little mini trip to Ocean City as a family. The weather wasn't the best but we had a good time anyway. One thing I wanted to do with Brady is take him to feed the seagulls on the beach, a thing I loved to do with my dad. The problem was that since it was September these poor fat seagulls were starving. Brady had just turned 2 and Mac was only 8 months. When we started throwing out bread, the swarmed us and I was for real afraid. They were hovering right at my face and I paniced, Brady was at my feet crying and crying and he knew I was scared. Finally, I threw the bread and tried to grab him and run away. It was an embarassing and scary experience. Well for the rest of the weekend Brady was so scared of the seagulls and any time we had food they were right on top of us. We tried to help him be brave but he wasn't too good at speaking yet. We told him when the birds came up to him to just say "I'll kick you birds!" and run after them. The way he said it, it sounded like "I'll kick 'ew birds"... it was so funny. It worked a little bit. The funniest part though, is when we got home after a few weeks we were playing outside on the driveway with a bunch of toys and we heard the sweet little tweet tweet of a PA brid above us on the telephone wire. Out of nowhere Brady looked up at him and said (in his toughest voice) "I'll kick ew bird".

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Fun in Athens

When Tony's parents were here visiting we had a great time. We did so much and just enjoyed it all very much. My favorite memory was the dinner we had in Athens in the evening looking at the Acropolis all lit up. While we were there I was asking the kids the only question they can answer in Greek. Can you figure out what it is?

What the boys are doing now



Both Boys go to school now and ride a school bus. We thought it would be best for them so that they can learn Greek and make friends. They have started to become a little afraid of Greek kids. We think it's better for them if they can feel a part of things early because 3 year olds aren't as mean as 5 years old. Already they are learning new words and although they cry getting on the bus they are always so happy and energetic in the afternoon when they return.

Brady. Well he is brilliant I think. His favorite thing to do it worksheets. I will have to teach my boys English and American stuff so I got a bunch of books from Ollies Bargain Outlet and have been working with him. He does so will an can spell his name. He has recently learned all of his letters and can identify them which just happened a week or so ago when Grandma gave him a Sesame Street place mat. He is learning how to write and can count to 39, we need to work on his tens because a lot of times he says twenty eleven for 21.

Mac. Greeks love him, he is so sweet they say. He really can't be taught much but learns well on his own. He can count to 13 skips 14 and goes to 16. All of which I couldn't teach him. Although he will not do it on command you just have to catch it. Also I've been working on his colors but he never ever gets it but then out of the blue he'll call out a Greek color correctly and shock the socks off of us. He knows his ABC's really well and loves to sing the song. Usually when he gets off the bus he says "I was crying, because I missed you", melts my heart every time. The boys sit together on the bus and have a great afternoon playing together when they get home.

Everyone loves our boys and they have brought a lot of joy to people here. They are doing so well and we are really proud of the way they have adjusted. It's hard to believe that they will be bilingual in a couple of months. (lucky kids)

Finding the Flush


When we first got off the plane in Austria on our trip over the ocean, Brady of course had to go potty. After a long but short night on the plane I took him. He has done so well being potty trained since June. He did his thing without problems or hesitation but when he was done and ready to flush he got stressed out. There is really no other way to put it except that he got noticeably anxious with the unfamiliarity of the potty and the location of "the flush" in particular. Here they could be anywhere. I say this story now because Brady has adapted so well that he can find the flush anywhere and it's become a game. Just one of the little adjustments we've all made.... did I mention we can't flush toilet paper?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Valentines Day


In our family we try to keep Valentine's Day simple, after all it is a Hallmark Holiday. There is no need to spend a large amount of money on someone to prove your love for them, but it does not deserve to be overlooked either. So, in our family we try to do something special and thoughtful for one another and I have loved it every time. This year we made cards which were funny and sweet and I made Tony some cinnamon rolls which didn't turn out quite right but it's the thought that counts (I am still learning how to cook over here), and Tony cleaned up the whole kitchen for me (we don't have a dish washer, it's kind of a big deal) and put together my new kitchen table. My parents flew into Thess on Valentine's Day this year and it was a very special moment. One of the sweetest things was that my dad brought them a heart shaped box of chocolates. When I was little I can remember getting a similar box every year for Valentine's Day. I hate the chocolates inside but what a precious memory.

Most Grateful for....

One of the greatest gifts my dad gave me for coming here to Greece is teaching me how to drive a stick shift vehicle. I wouldn't be able to go anywhere without this knowledge and confidence and there is no way I could learn in these narrow hilly streets. It seems so simple and silly but I am thankful for it everyday. NOTE: all persons planning to live overseas, LEARN TO DRIVE STICK!!!

Forever and a Day

I'd be surprised if anyone was still reading since I haven't been writing of late but here are some updates. Culture shock has been a beast for me and more recently now that my parents have come and gone but I'll make it through. Of course when things are difficult it is hard to talk about in this forum so it just gets abandoned for a while. There have been many funny things that have happened in the lives of my boys - for instance they have decided the best place to put boogies is the glass doors. I have caught them a couple of times picking their noses and going straight to the glass doors. Also, Brady and Mac continually blame Zolti Wislocky for every broken item in Greece. Also he gets blamed for things that didn't actually happen. The weather is getting nice so we are outside a lot which is wonderful. We've made some great Greek friends, Nina & Thomas who have been so kind to invite us everywhere and include us with all of their friends. Of course we are working hard a Greek but it seems like the more I learn the more I think I'll never get it. I've made an English/Greek friend too and that has been really nice. Both friends have a 14 month old boy so our kids interact a little. I am looking forward to Tony's parents visit next week and Brady and Mac attending school in April. Easter here is a huge celebration with festivals and parades and huge feasts. We are looking forward to this as well. The Lord continues to give us such favor and we are so grateful for that.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Mac's Birthday Presents

Mac had a great time with his gifts, and Brady was a good sport too.

Fans


Despite the fact that they haven't made the playoffs for a few years, we're raising up a ban of Sebastian boys who will be fans for life.

Birthday Season



Ah - it's over I am now 30 - weird - very weird - it's like I am a real adult now. Also Mac turned 2 which is also kind of strange I feel like he isn't a baby anymore. So I am a 30 year old woman with 2 big boys. It's hard to believe but I really have always thought I wouldn't make it this far in life, that Jesus would come and take us to be with him. ( I am still hoping that happens tomorrow actually). Anyways we had a nice time and Mac was very excited about his John Deere Birthday Cake. We have had quite the present opening season around here.

The Big Guy


Before Christmas we were going to dinner at Sophie's house and we passed the toy store near our house called Kou Kou. It was crazy busy with shoppers and I witnessed an employee carry this Playmobile guy out to the dumpster and lay it behind the already filled bin. I sort of went crazy thinking "is he really throwing that away?" - so after 5 hours or so we drove home passing the same store and dumpster. I couldn't resist I just had to have my own 5ft. playmobil guy so we moved in for an inspection. It was sort of embarassing, I am not quite sure if that is allowed here because no one else had taken hold of this treasure but I couldn't allow it to be thrown away so - we took it and gave it a new home. He is slightly injured but I'm pretty sure with a little love he'll survive (if my boys don't destroy him themselves). It's so funny, they call him Big Guy and I often hear them hitting him in the stomach. We did have him in the guest room but Mac wouldn't go downstairs he kept saying "Big Guy (s)care me" it makes me laugh every time.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Our Final Gift

In family tradition we saved the best gifts to the very end. We spent the morning opening gifts and when it was all over we took the boys downstairs where we set up all the big things we got to fill their room. We were so excited. Since we had to sell a bunch of their things before we left we some extra money and just waited till Christmas to buy the toys. It was worth it and it made the day so special because of the timing we got all the credit instead of Santa. The boys have truly enjoyed their playroom. Brady's expression will stick with me forever, I am so thankful for video cameras.

Presents for Baby Jesus

This Christmas we really tried to talk about the Christmas story a lot so the boys would understand the importance of what we beleive. We bought a little nativity set made by Playmobile (so they could play with it) and talked about it often. We told the story of baby Jesus and his mother Mary and Joseph and the angel and the shepherds and the wise men who brought gifts for baby Jesus. We would ask them about the characters all through out the Christmas season so when the day came that we actually were opening gifts we gave it one more run for tradition sake. Our Christmas morning we had the boys bring all the gifts from under the tree over on the carpet by the fire so we could open them. They were labeled and we put them in piles for each member of the family and took turns opening. The funny part is that this was my favorite part. The boys were so excited to hold each unknown package and bring it over. We would ask Mac who the packages were for and ever time he would get more and more excited and yell "BABY JESUS BABY JESUS!!"

Scare Me

Mac is really starting to express his emotions and it is so cute. He is so full of wonder and excitement I just have to catch some of it on video. In this video we are having our first fire. It was a great morning for our personal family Christmas on the 22nd. We spent actual Christmas day in Skopia and so we wanted to open gifts from us and the Grandparents here as a family so we didn't have to cart them everywhere. My favorite is when he tells Brady "fire scare me" --- he says that a lot actually. This morning he woke up at 5 with a poop and said "poop scare me, mommy" - it was so funny.