Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

I’m (in my new) Home!!

Hello, South Africa… I’m home (and in my new home).  Have a peak… more pictures to come once we’re really settled…

Holiday Hiatus

I just returned from a long weekend in Nashville with my soul-friend, Emily (we’ve had lots of blog-worthy adventures together… like here, here, here, and here!!). My battery feels recharged after lots of girl talk, laughter, and sleep. I’m so incredibly thankful for how my life is blessed with friendship.
I’ve returned to my Ohio [...]

Fill It In…

Distance makes the heart… (enter your words here!)
Dave leaves today and journeys back to South Africa… while me and the kids remain stateside for a month more.
Deep Breath. Big Sigh. I hate goodbyes, even the temporary ones.

Welcome Home!

I’ve always been a renter. I’ve never lived anywhere that wasn’t a borrowed or temporary space in one form or another. I’ve never had that sense of now I’m home. I’ve dreamed about painting walls, picking out fixtures, and having things set up “just so”- just because I like them that way.
Watching my [...]

A Hint

I’m excited about the change that’s coming  to my home in blogesphere.  And when I’m excited about something, I have a hard time keeping it a surprise.  You should have seen me as a kid anticipating Christmas.  I wanted hints about this and that, I scowered my house for hidden presents, and sometimes when I [...]

Amy Tshabalala ("cha-ba-la-la")

“You are Tshabalala now. Part of this family. Your African family.”
Several months back I introduced you to Mike and Lizzy.  Several weeks back, Dave participated in a very culturally significant lobola (”la-bow-la”) or bohali (”bow-ha-di”) ceremony where Dave joined all of Mike’s extended male relatives in negotiating and paying a bride price for Lizzy.  After [...]

En Route

I was en route to Silas’ preschool today and had two random but funny experiences. The first, is that I was held up by an escaping herd of cows. I did my neighborly duty, and got in touch with the farmer who owns them- but had to laugh at me trying to inch my [...]

She Shines…

… especially her left eye

Calling All Moms

I need some potty training tips!!! Here’s the deal… Silas has NO problem telling me he needs to go#1, and he goes on the big-boy-potty. He rarely has any accidents and his overnight pull-ups are usually dry in the morning (impressive, right? I think so). But, Silas WILL NOT go #2 anywhere [...]

Spray-On Grace

The last time I was in Kentucky, my friend Emily loaded me up with some Philosophy beauty products… are you familiar with these? They’re pretty darn wonderful. The scent of the things she has given me in the past is “grace”… and this time around, she had a large bottle of the body [...]

Lighten Up

I’ve spent the last four days parenting my two little ones solo… which is no small task. But, in the midst of some other life-happenings, these days have actually been a welcomed reprieve. My kids have a way of making me lighten up… which is just what the Dr. of my heart ordered.
So, picture [...]

MIA

We got internet back up on the farm, and occasionally, I even get a signal at my house- WOOHOO!! But, alas… I’ve decided to go on an internet hiatus. I’m not unplugging completely- I’ll be checking email… so you can reach me there if you miss me
So yeah… I’ll be back [...]

One of Those (Great) Days

At the end of my day yesterday- I found myself almost speechless. It was one of those “I’m so thankful I live in S. Africa” days. There was nothing out of the ordinary or super special that happened… it was just the daily grind of my life… but it was good. Really, [...]

love tank

Peaberry was lying in my lap earlier. As I gently ran my fingers over her cheeks, she turned her head to give me better access down into the folds of her neck. She lay perfectly still, totally in the zone, for a good fifteen minutes, just letting me tenderly stroke her skin.
It made me wonder [...]

confessions from the blogsitter

Amy’s gone south for a few days, leaving me in charge of baby and blog. Don’t worry—I don’t try to watch both at the same time.
All day I’ve been racking my brain for something of value to write here at the EB. You know, so I can be considered a good blogsitter and all. But… [...]

Summed Up

This pretty much sums up what my heart is wanting to say today…

… what about you????

Red Cup Bliss

When we FINALLY cleared customs in the Dulles airport- we were greeted by a Starbucks. Venti, non-fat chai latte please!!!!!! Since a picture is worth a thousand words… here it is…

Red Cup Bliss

A Date with a Dam

It’s no zebra road… but while I’m stateside, I have a morning date with a dam- Hoover Dam.  I headed there for my morning workout- and it was good.  Cold and wet… but still good.  Good- mostly because I wanted to run.  Could it be that I’ve crossed the line… where it has actually become [...]

This Strange Place

I’ve sat down to write a few different times today and the screen has stayed blank.  I’m in a strange place… I’m inspired… and I’m out of words.  My brain is moving at a mile a minute… and my life is standing still. I’m playing the same song over and over on my iPod… staring [...]

I'm Learning

I’m learning that so many of my expectations are inexplicably linked to my home culture.  Take for instance…  my last 72 hours.  Having a few days without electricity in the bottom level of our house was challenging for me (no functional kitchen, etc).  The fact that no one was in a real hurry to fix [...]

Update

Happy to be in our own place.. yes!  Frustrated that we’ve been without electricity for two days (and counting)… totally.  This is africa.

Bread, Soup, and Friends

I was frustrated about returning to town… I didn’t want to be there again today- but we needed diapers and somebody (who will remain nameless…but I assure you… it wasn’t me…) forgot to get them while at the grocery store.  So… I pulled in to Shoprite with Silas as my co-pilot after our 20 minute [...]

You're It

I was tagged by Steph over at The Red Clay Diaries and here’s the drill… I’m supposed to list five ways blogging has affected me.  I’ll get to that- because it’ll be good for me to think about… but I’m going to start with why I blog-  particularly for my anti-blogging friends who I know [...]

It's On Amazon!!!

Some things are just exciting… like this.  Uh-hu… this is my husband’s first documentary/educational dvd on the Basotho culture… and it’s listed on Amazon.com.  I’m so proud… I just had to share.

What "They" Don't Tell You

about motherhood:

you are so much stronger than you think.  You’ll be amazed by what you can carry with two arms… try three bags of groceries, a diaper bag, an infant carrier, an infant, and a toddler.
there is no greater feeling than knowing you are who they want to tuck them in at night.
you realize how [...]

Wednesday's Window

Without further ado, here’s the wreckage from Silas’ big spill:

and here are three generations… me, my mom, and Peaberry:

and… just a great shot of my happy little girl:

Our Rainy Day

It was raining outside yesterday- which meant that I needed to get creative in planning the day with Silas.  I thought the hours would kind of drag by- with him being bored and me being frazzled.  I was wrong.  I had a fantastic day with my son.  From climbing on all sorts of indoor play [...]

I Can So Do This

I’m sitting here, exhausted, but filled with some serious maternal pride.  Today was the first day that I had both of my kiddos by myself for an extended period of time (I know, I know… I’ve had it really good with lots of extra helping hands).  We went to the mall… with Silas in the [...]

Wednesday's Window

Okay… I spent a good chunk of time this morning working on a special “window” surprise… a video of my peanut.  Turns out, I’m technologically impaired and can’t figure out how to get it posted, etc… and I won’t have access to my computer again until late tonight.  I know there’s at least one faithful [...]

Everything Changed, Nothing Changed

I spent the weekend in Kentucky catching up on a lot of life with Emily. On Sunday night, we ate dinner at my favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant and then took a nostalgic drive through my old stomping ground. I drove past the very first place that Dave and I called home… married student [...]

Wednesday's Window

11 Years

Eleven years ago today I got married. I remember planning the wedding… so much thought, effort, and energy put in to those wonderful few hours of ceremony and celebration. It was a beautiful wedding. But what I’m thankful for today- is that I have a beautiful marriage. Last night I said [...]

Wednesday's Window

It has been a fun and busy week…
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Etc…etc.

Here’s my randomness from the past week or so…

As of today, I have my husband back.  The facial hair is gone… hallelujah!!! I love his kisses.
I retired my Teva’s and swapped them for a pair of spectacular Merrells.  Photos are to come- but that’s more effort than I have energy at this present moment.
Confession- I’m [...]

Nothin'

I wanted to post- but I’ve got nothin’.  Well- I’ve got lots, actually… but my mind doesn’t want to compile it into readable thoughts.  Or maybe my brain is just too tired… or maybe I am just sort of out-of-touch with myself.  Have you been there?  The laundry machine just kicked off.  Something is up [...]

Retirement is Hard

I’m trying to retire a favorite pair of shoes, but it’s complicated.  I’ve had them for a decade.  I bought them during the first year of my marriage (1997) and I’ve worn them at least every other day during warm weather since then.  When I bought them, I considered them a splurge- $50 for a [...]

Happy Birthday

Today is David’s birthday. He’s 32. Wow- that sounds so middle-aged. On this day- I’m especially mindful of all of the reasons that I treasure my husband. One of the things I treasure most is how we’ve grown together- or grown individually in the midst of our togetherness. Dave is not [...]

Find it here

With my days and nights mixed up and sleeping in intervals… I haven’t had the creative juices to actually write a blog post. But, my dear friend Alece (I think she’s earned the title of co-parent this past month), has published quite a chronicle of posts about these last few weeks… so if you [...]

Evacuation

We were discharged from the hospital on Saturday- and we immediately took our first road trip… to MO, to leave the devastating flood waters behind us as I physically recover from Alece’s delivery and we all get aqcuainted as a family of four. We are staying with the parents of some of our closest friends… they have a wonderful, [...]

I'm a little… anxious.

There, I said it… I’m a little anxious.  I’ve been hesitant to express that feeling to anyone because I’m really trying not to focus on it… but here it is, that subtle pit in my belly… I’m anxious.  We’ve been talking about baby girl’s arrival for so long now as the first marker of a [...]

One Finish Line Crossed

At midnight tonight, when the calendar flips to Wednesday… baby Alece will officially be considered full-term, at 37 weeks.  Sure, that means that we could still have three weeks to go before we meet face to face- but medically speaking… she’s ready for the world.
For me, tomorrow starts new pregnancy territory.  Silas was born at [...]

Today's Fun

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Can't Get Enough

I can tell I’m getting close to the end of this pregnancy.  I’m pretty hormonal, pretty moody, and the things my body wants or doesn’t want are so poignantly clear to me.  Want some examples?
I can’t get enough watermelon.  I ate an entire seedless watermelon in two days (minus the few small bowls that Silas [...]

A Few Laughables

There have been a few things these last couple of days that have just made me smile on the inside and laugh out loud.  But, I’m also totally aware that reading about them- rather than being in the moment- might strip them of all humor.  So I share anyway, with that disclaimer.
We got some new [...]

A Myrid of Thoughts

The quote I posted from JFK is complex- isn’t it?  In a way it has been intriguing for me to read the comments (which I thoroughly enjoy- I’m all about putting different positions out on the table)… but I have to confess that the comments seem to suggest that most of the people that read [...]

Is this still true??

I read this quote by John F. Kennedy today on Progressively Speaking.  Actually, I read it a few times and found myself asking… is there still any truth to this??  What are your thoughts??
“…The United States, as the world knows, will never start a war. We do not want a war. We do not now [...]

In a funk

Do you ever days, or series of days, where you just feel in a funk?  Nothing is wrong per se, but lots of little things seem bigger than they are- and I’m moody- and emotional- and tired.  And did I mention hugely pregnant?  It’s not the best combination.  I’m aware that I feel a bit [...]

So great…

I saw this on another blog tonight and just had to post it here.  I think I need it poster-sized…

Photo Fun

We had a beautiful day today… windy, but warmer… over 60! We went to a park and I took lots of pictures of Silas. I had fun editing and playing with three of them…

For Danielle & friends…

This post is in response to Danielle’s… and for anyone else who might be curious!
Favorite color? Orange and lime green… I’m ALWAYS drawn to these…
Middle name? Lynn
Favorite movie? I’ve been impacted on a deeper level by the movies Braveheart and The Matrix… but these aren’t necessarily my favorite movies to just watch… to be entertained [...]

Party?! Hardly…

Today was supposed to be Silas’ big family birthday party. On Thursday, we made the ten hour drive home… and it appears that we brought Midwest winter weather with us. On Friday, the biggest blizzard Ohio has seen since 1978 started and it continued through late afternoon today. There is LOTS of snow- [...]

My Muse

Red, White & BOOM!

Slide Show for Dad…

Snapshots of Silas

The Heinous Side of Humanity

A few hours ago I spoke with one of my closest friends who has a very hard job…. she’s a forensic interviewer and the agency she works for strives to assist the various forms of law enforcement in prosecuting crimes against children. Her typical 9-5 is filled with interviewing children about sexual abuse allegations. Today [...]

Things to come

The last few weeks have been so full of blog-worthy moments… I feel like so much will get skipped over when I finally hunker down at home, upload all my digital photos, and reduce huge happenings into concise summaries. Right now we are in NY- we spent the last 24 hours in Manhattan- doing [...]

Feeling Festive

We put up our tree yesterday- and I know I’m one of those touchy/feely people- but it was so sentimental to watch Silas see the lighting of his very first Christmas tree! I even had to call my parents- just to say I was carrying on our tradition of listening to the original Amy Grant [...]

Planning a Snake-Out

Our little friend is still with us. We’ve had two “handy” men from our property management agency out here to try to get him, with no luck. Finally today, they sent a plumber over to remove the grate that covered the drain. He had to use some sort of electric saw and [...]

Take a Moment

Take a moment and watch this- it is breathtaking…
http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

Remembering Remington

These photos of Remington were just taken in the past couple of weeks- the first during a family outing to one of our local parks- where we loved to walk and let him swim in the river. The second picture was just at home- because he is so cute and that face so inviting. [...]

From Horse Country to Corn Fields

The journey of moving has lasted six days so far- they’ve been very long, exhausting days. When we loaded the truck with all of our earthly belongings we had lots of hands pitching in to help- which was fantastic. By the time moving day came, I was just ready to go. The anticipation of [...]

Unplugged

The move is on! There might be a delay in my next post, but keep checking back…

Waiting to Exhale

The countdown is on. I’ve got three weeks left of working full-time. If you look a few posts back, you’ll see that I was initially struggling to walk away from my job. Now I’m ready. In preparing for this move, I’ve thought back about my near decade of life here. I’ve had a [...]

The Party Circle

When I was pregnant & Dave and I went to register at BabiesRUs, I remember us talking about not being “those” parents that have their homes taken over by baby toys and “equipment.” I think we even proudly declared to a few more experienced parenting pairs (that were trying to tell us to expand our [...]

Jolly Green Giant

I can’t believe Silas is four months old! He had a pediatrician visit today- he’s up to 16lbs 13oz and he’s 25 & 1/2 inches long. He’s 80th percentile for weight and 75th for height. It is amazing that he’s almost tripled his weight in four (relatively short) months. One of the things we asked [...]

Just Because

Just because I think Silas is the most adorable little boy- I’m sharing some more pictures of him…

Silas at 15 weeks

Silas and Nanna

“Ooohing and aaahhhing”

The First Smile

Parenting changed about a month ago when Silas started interacting. It was May 17th that he gave me his first socially responsive smile. Dave was getting ready to take him out of town for a few days to see some relatives- so we met for lunch at Qdoba before he hit the road. After eating [...]

Storms

Life in our house has been a whirlwind of transitions since Silas arrived, leaving me somewhat tousled by the storms… but still standing. While I was on maternity leave, Dave got an offer that we couldn’t refuse- for him to be a fully funded Ph.D. student in a top program of his field. For me, [...]

What's Awaiting Baby Silas?

Here’s a glimpse of what is awaiting baby Silas! This is home sweet home! We’re still working on the nursery, which I’ll share pictures of once it is finished (hopefully by the end of the day!).
I’m at 36 weeks now and growing by the day. I don’t know how my body will make any more [...]

The Balance Between A & B

I’m struck by the juxtaposed personality traits that preparing for parenthood and actual parenting require. The last eight months have breathed new life and vitality into my type A personality traits- the frenzy I feel to be organized, to plan ahead, to be a perfectionist (in certain arenas of my life). I dove headfirst into [...]

Expectant

We’re about to transition from expecting to parenting. Knowing this drastic life change is approaching has made me so reminiscent and yet so expectant. I’m hesitant to let go of what has become my comforting familiarity- the security of the constants in my life. At the same time, I’m ready for more, for a new [...]