Waiting on the World to Change...

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here is my story.

Approximately nine months ago (I don't know specifics on this kind of thing), a little seed was created that has been growing, and incubating in my now rather large belly. Rather larger than I appreciate. I was very sick for a few months. I recovered, and then had a great while of peace and plenty and prancing in the pleasant joy of motherhood coming once again. We got some pictures showing the growing babe to be a BOY (by the way), and life was grand.

You may or may not know that I live in Russia. But I am American. And in Russia, I have American doctors. Doctors who highly recommend choosing a place outside of Russia to birth babies. Not that people don't have babies in Russia. Probably every day this happens. But from what I gather, the purpose of leaving Russia is just to find someplace with similar medical care/procedures than what I and the doctors are familiar with.

Just in case.

So I did.

About six weeks ago, I packed up all my three kids (well, technically four, but the fourth one didn't require too much packing yet), and flew them over the north pole, and across time zones to good 'ole Orem, Utah.

First Question: Why Utah? Do you have family there?

Best Answer: It was the best place for us. I do have family here. I have a sister-in-law (and family, including cousins for my kids) and a brother who live here. And it is within "more-affordable, easier-than-Maryland traveling distance" of both of our parents and plenty more family and friends. I had my oldest baby here, so I am familiar with the doctor and the hospital (one less thing to worry about). Also, Utah is loaded with clean, safe parks, great libraries, free activities, cultural activities, etc. = plenty for me to do with my kids. Also, people don't look at me like I'm crazy all the time, walking around pregnant with three older children (four kids?!?! what kind of crazy?!?), and no wedding ring, because it hasn't fit for a month. Oh, and no husband, because he has this little thing called a job that he has to be at, dangit. Oh, okay, and one last thing, I promise - I really do get service with a smile from everyone, even when my gaggle of children are climbing the walls and making messes everywhere. That can go a long way for a single pregnant mom of three living in a hotel and homeschooling!

Okay, Next Question: Where are you staying?

Answer: Oops, I gave that one away. We are staying in a hotel (with two bedrooms and a kitchen). I worry way too much to ever stay with someone I know for that long, and the couple of furnished houses we were interested in didn't work out. This was where I wanted to stay, and I'm very happy with it. Last week the people downstairs complained that there was too much running going on, so we tiptoed for a few days, but guess what? they checked out Sunday. It's great.

Next: What are you doing with your kids?

Answer: This has been the hardest part of the whole process. I considered leaving them home with Dave/neighbors/nanny, but we decided it would be best to take them out of school, and bring them along. It was a tough decision on what to do about school once we got here, and after a lot of research and thought, I decided homeschool would be the way. So, I've been exercising my brain beyond it's normal activity to try to pick up in the middle of the school year, incorporating the concepts they are missing at school back home as well as things I want them to learn and things they would like to learn, ALL without having the slightest clue what I'm doing (Evelynn reminds me). Plus, trying to have some sort of work to bring back to their teachers to show that we really did do school work, but worrying that it will just show how completely inadequate that this has been. Mmmhhhhh..... was it a mistake? No, I'm still glad I'm doing it, but it's very difficult. And P.S. they are involved in a couple of classes to keep at least some socialization going outside of cousins and church.

Okay, Last Question: How long will you stay?

Answer: They sent me out six weeks before the baby was due, and I will stay six weeks after the baby is born, assuming everything goes well, everyone is healthy, and we can get all the paperwork and everything done that we need to get a six week old baby to Russia.

So, that's it.

My due date is tomorrow. And here I sit. Waiting on my world to change.

Oh, and Dave is here now. But he won't get to stay forever, so it would be nice if the Boy would come sooner rather than later. All three of my other babies have come at least a week early, so we're all a little baffled by the delay, but I guess sometimes it takes a while to change the world.

And P.S. this is the answer for my radio silence. As well as absence of pictures. And if you live locally here in the USofA, and haven't heard from me, you are in good company. I've spoken with about 8 different people and seen fewer than that (not including strangers, of course. I'm always talking to strangers. Just don't tell my kids). The End. Good Night.

Advent

Our Christmas preparation this year was finally organized enough to have an advent calendar full of activities to do every day! It was all stuff we do every year anyway, but spaced out nicely and (mostly) planned for. Do you want to see my list? (sometimes I wish I allowed comments...) Well here it is - just scroll past if you don't want to read it:

1. Watch Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (an elementary drama production at the kids school).

2. Put up Christmas tree.

3. Go ice skating (this didn't actually work out, because I can't ice skate being 6 months pregnant, and we neglected to remember that they probably wouldn't have super giganto rental ice skates for Dave. The kids were too young to go by themselves. But we had gone to Red Square for the activity, so we still enjoyed all the lights - Moscow has great lights all over the city during the holidays, playing in some snow, and a yummy snack at Chocolodnitsa. Not a total fail).

4. Read the Tale of the Three Trees.

5. Have a picnic dinner by the Christmas tree.

6. Have hot chocolate with marshmallows.

7. Decorate gingerbread houses.

8. Read Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest.

9. Watch White Christmas.

10. Go to Ward Christmas Breakfast (we had to skip this one too, due to "possible political demonstrations", a working Daddy, and a sick mama, so we made muffins, and had hot chocolate instead).

11. Deliver Holiday gifts to friends and neighbors.

12. Invite friends over to play games.

13. Have hot chocolate with homemade bread toast.

14. Read Christmas Day in the Morning.

15. Make treats to share with friends at school.

16. Watch Muppet Christmas Carol.

17. Go sledding (you would think by the 17th of December in Moscow, we would have enough snow to go sledding. All we had this year was mush, so we went out to breakfast for this one instead. We have had a really warm winter so far!).

18. Deliver toys to someone in need.

19. Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

20. Make cookies to donate to someone (the idea was for them to go to some people at Dave's work).

21. Have hot chocolate floats.

22. Open family Christmas presents.

23. Go to Spain!

24. Read the true story of Christmas and act out the Nativity. Go looking for Christmas lights.

It was a lot of fun, and it's nice to have some of these things down on paper, so the kids can start recognizing them as family traditions (for example, we have a TON of Christmas books, and we are not lacking in Christmas movies, but there are a few I want to make sure are family traditions, so I included them in the advent).

HOWEVER, I felt like the advent could definitely have been a little more Christ centered, or at least more service oriented. This is something I will have to think a little more about. A couple of years ago, we did one that had a scripture and a little activity to go along with it every day. Maybe we can find a way to incorporate that next year, but still keep it simple.

Because above everything else, it's the simplicity that I love!

Hope you had a great December!

Snapshots

It's been a while, so here's a double dose of snapshots:

She just keeps bringing me more, and asking me to put them in her hair.

I love getting this little girl into her snow clothes, and she loves playing in the snow. Win-win.

Owen "bubble wrapped" at a birthday party. This was after chasing two pirates around an indoor amusement park for an hour on a treasure hunt. Now do you see why we don't do birthday parties?

and p.s. what does it tell you about Moscow that I don't even blink an eye anymore when someone shows up dressed like that to entertain at a children's birthday party? Dave had to point it out to me when he saw the picture.

Outside a car dealership near Red Square.

Ev in uniform. When she's not in this, she's in t-shirts and jeans all the time.

Riding with Dad while she waited for Owen to be finished at his friend's birthday party.

Getting out the Christmas stuff.

Dave playing with the crazies. Barb especially love to play "up high".

Feliz Navidad... (and Happy New Year!)

I Have a Little Boy...

The other day, he was talking to his sister. She was trying to come up with an example to explain something to him, and she started talking about football.

"I don't think I like sports," he said to her.

"Interesting insight," I thought to myself.

And let me be honest and tell you that I don't know how this happened.

Happy...

Birthday!

Owen's Nerf cake that I made. The marshmallow fondant was incredibly easy. I was just too lazy to order good dye, so he has a pastel Nerf cake. And he's okay with it. Dave's traditional pineapple upside down cake that he never remembers is the tradition until I make it. Evelynn's star cake to go with her American Girl theme. I know, it's an awesome cake. Don't be jealous. (Dave's Mom actually frosted it, because I couldn't do it without crumbs all over the place) And finally, the Boston cream cake that Dave made for me. When I remind him that this is the tradition, usually he buys one (can you tell he's not into traditions?), but I would feel pretty safe saying that they are impossible to find in Russia. So, he made it!

And of course, birthday cake has to have ice cream. Even Russian style Neopolitan. Grab yourself a slice.

Happy Birthday everyone!

Halloween!

A strawberry, a peacock, and Frankenstein (who left his hair/hat thing at school and was most often mistaken as Hulk). I was super sick, and couldn't even think about making costumes this year, so we bought some cute ones. Barb loved dressing up and trick-or-treating, and I loved her doing it!

Thanksgiving!

The kids still had school, but Dave had the day off, so we still cooked, and then got together with some friends for dinner and some football.

Dave's parents sent us a package with all of the ingredients and instructions to make these cute little turkeys! We opened the package in the car, and the cookies almost didn't make it home.

Those little marshmallow ones are my favorite! and Oreos? Fuhgettabout it.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas!

Yay!

And now we don't have to rationalize the Christmas music we've been listening to for over a month.

Sankt Petairsboorg (and roll your Rs)

While Dave's parents were in town, he took them to St. Petersburg. I was sure to remind them to keep their wits about them. St. Petersburg is a popular European tourist town = pickpockets.

They came back safe and sound, and gave me a few tips.

Then, when my Mom was in town, I took her.

By myself.

On the train.

And I don't even speak Russian!

I was so proud of myself.

This was the view from the front door of our hotel. It's St. James Cathedral. I think.

This is a corner on our way to some sightseeing. Check out the - let me see if I can spell this - trolleeyayboos (trolleybus) tracks? Lines?

This is something. I don't speak Russian. And this is where we were "accosted" by two men trying very physically to sell us calendars. It was a little disconcerting. Nyet means nyet!

This is the Baskin Robbins that my Mom asked me to take a picture of as we recovered from our confrontation and continued on our walk.

This is the "Cathedral on the Spilt Blood". That's not the actual name of it, but Tsar Alexander II was assassinated here, so for some reason it picked up the name. There was an English sign.

Hi Mom.

This is where I asked my Mom to hand me my wallet from her purse, so I could buy our tickets, and she realized it was missing (after the photo).

It appears we paid for a calendar after all.

We forgot to keep our wits about us.

This is where I decided that I couldn't let having my wallet stolen ruin our trip. I didn't want to go home without seeing anything because I spent 36 hours worrying about a stolen wallet, so we turned around and went back to the church. And also, I prayed.

This is the inside of the Cathedral. I'm glad we went back. It was amazing inside. A huge room, and all of the walls and ceilings covered in these mosaics made with tiny stones. The real name of the Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, so most of the mosaics were of part of His life, with a few of his apostles. It was really pretty.

Then we headed back to the hotel, and kept praying about my wallet (it had all of my IDs in it).

This is the walk back, where around the corner, another man (not the calendar guys) came running up from behind us, and handed me my wallet.

Aside from the cash, everything was left inside.

The end.

This is the metro. I don't know if I'm supposed to take pictures of police/military guys, or if they appreciate it, so instead of doing the honorable thing, and asking, I always just wait until they look the other way, and try to sneak it.

This is Peterhof. It's Peter the Great's summer palace, and it is amazing!

After visiting Versailles, Peter wanted his fountains to be better, and they are! And I think that the fact that it's Russian is even more impressive to me. This might sound bad, but I usually find that Russian things are not the same level of quality that I have seen elsewhere, so to see a big, pretty palace, with seriously impressive natural fountains that are all old and still in good condition is just... amazing.

Peterhof is actually known for it's gardens (which were still very pretty in the fall), but with cold weather and nothing blooming, seeing the inside of the palace was the highlight for us.

THIS is the Hermitage. Russia's version of the Louvre.

Used to be a palace, now a huge art museum.

This is where I discovered that I love Rembrandt. They have the world's largest collection of Rembrandt's (if I overheard correctly). The Hermitage has some great art (and funny things like walls painted to look like carved reliefs).

St. Petersburg impresses (read: surprises) me again.

And this is us on the speed train home, after 36 hours in St. Petersburg, carrying our backpacks in cold, rain, and sunshine, with my wallet now stowed safely away and all our wits all about us.

Our First Birthday Party

We don't do birthday parties. Theoretically, we do "other parties". Like, one year we had an end of summer party, and we've thought a lot about Halloween and Christmas and Valentine and Just Because parties, but it doesn't really happen.

I don't want my kids to have to feel like they need to keep up with the billion dollar birthday parties that some other kids have, and I also don't like having a bunch of random toys around (my toys are organized into categories, and birthday gifts are just way too much of a risk).

We do other fun traditions, which I've mentioned, like our birthday gift treasure hunts, and fun themes.

However, it has always been in our plans to have birthday parties at 8, possibly 12, maybe 16,... it's kind of a "cross that bridge when we come to it" deal.

Well, Evelynn turned 8.

We were at the bridge.

So, we had a party.

We waited until a month after her actual birthday, because my Mom was going to be in town, and she wanted to be there (and I wanted her help). Also, since she was baptized very close to her birthday, I wanted to keep that time special, and the focus on being baptized, not on partying. It was her first birthday party, after all. Very exciting.

She wanted an American Girl party, so I went with the red and white star theme (you can't just pick up American Girl party supplies on the shelf at Target). I was back in the U.S. for a long weekend a couple of months ago, so I picked up anything red, white, or stars, as well as a couple of American Girl craft projects.

We kept it simple, invited just a few friends, made Evelynn's favorite foods, and played a few games with dolls that the girls brought. We finished up with our crafts (fortune tellers was the favorite), and the girls went home! Easy peasy!

Hey Evelynn, what did you think of your birthday party?

"I thought it was awesome. It was the best party I've ever had."

There you go folks. Best party she's ever had. I think we better call it quits while we're ahead.

A Visit From the In-Laws

While Dave's parents were in town for Evelynn's baptism, we spent a lot of time hanging out with the kids, and helping out at school (I was still pretty preggy sick), but we also got to show them around town a little.

We went back to the honey festival.

Rows and rows of honey and other bee related products.

We spent some time trying different kinds of honey, and then...

...went across the street to Tsaritsyno.

This was an old palace built by Catherine the Great (I love how rulers are nicknamed, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Ivan the Terrible. I wonder what I would be called...). We've never been inside, but I don't think she ever lived it in either, so I guess in a way, we could be considered royalty - Sjauna the Ridiculous...

The grounds are really pretty to walk around, and there are newlyweds everywhere taking pictures.

Grandma and Evie making some creations that Evelynn can use with Kit.

We found a cute little restaurant (if only you knew how impossible that is) with yummy Russian food (again, if only you knew...). We ate borsch, shii (a yummy soup, i don't know how to spell it, and i can't find a link for it), and pelmeni, and wanted to go back for more!

Inside St. Basil's Cathedral.

These guys were singing to try to sell cds.

It worked. We bought one. It sounded beautiful.

(and the links are just for Wikipedia, by the way, which may in fact give you more information about these places than I have learned after going to it three times. Let's just say the English audioguides are a little lacking.)

A lot of the buildings in Russia are built with wood and plastered and painted to look like brick or something else. The funny thing about this wall is that it looks like it's brick painted to look like... brick.

Everything is always a conundrum in Russia.

In a Palace in St. Petersburg, we found wood that had been carved, then dipped in plaster, then gold-leafed.

Dave and Barb are cute.

Outside St. Basil's.

G.U.M.

Pronounced goom. Along one side of Red Square, it was the Government Universal Store during Soviet times, now it's just a super upscale mall.

And across Red Square, the little brick structure is Lenin's Mausoleum, where you can go to see Lenin. Dead Lenin. Supposedly with all kinds of chemicals and whatnot that has kept his body preserved for the last 87 years. Interesting. He looks great for his age. No pictures allowed.

And behind the brick wall, the Kremlin, including a museum and some cathedrals. If this seems confusing to you, because you thought the Kremlin was a person or people, you're right. The President of Russia lives here, and the word is sometimes used to refer to the Russian Government. For example, imagine, "The White House is over there saying... blah blah blah."

Eating lunch at Stardogs, which I love solely because it looks like Crapdogs in English.

You can get all kinds of funky on your hot dogs here. In a tortilla, in flatbread with mashed potatoes, pickles, french fried onions, crazy. I usually get it in a roll with mustard and mayo, but the mustard is so spicy, I can only get half way through, before I give it to Dave.

Barb and Grandma playing with matryoshkas.

We did lots of shopping for matryoshkas. Dave's parents came with a big shopping list, and I think they got all they needed. Plus a little more.

We also went to an awesome Russian dance show and Dave took them for a quick trip to St. Petersburg.

It was great to hang out with family, and we really enjoyed their visit. We missed them the minute they left.