Small Packages & Brave Kids

It has been said that great things come in small packages. When many women spy a small package for themselves underneath the Christmas tree, their eyes light up with anticipation. I don't really fall into that category.  For Christmas this year I asked for a hand mixer and two hair brushes. Practicality is my love language.

But when my husband handed me a small package on Christmas morning 2014, he hit the ball out of the park, the nail on the head, the bullseye. There were no earrings inside, nor anything pretty or shiny. Far greater, it was a blessed receipt for a clothes dryer.

This would, in fact, be the first dryer we have bought in our ten years of married life. During our seasons in the U.S. we did laundry at our parents' houses or borrowed someone's old one. Overseas we joined the masses with a clothes line and drying racks. Most of the year, nothing dries your clothes faster than the warm Mediterranean sunshine.

Winters, however, are another story. There is not a day between December and February when there isn't laundry hanging up somewhere in the house. So if your a laundry fiend, like myself, these months are the arch-nemesis to my feelings of productivity. I am unspeakably thankful for this new companion to help shoulder the load I've been carrying. 

Really, it came not a moment too soon. Our full life is about to overflow next week as we launch one of our major projects here in Turkey. Thankfully, the launch signals the end of the prep and the beginning of the fulfillment of a lot of hard work. We are buckling our seatbelts for the adventure. 

Now, I realize that I haven't posted since August, so you have no idea how awesome our boys are doing in their new Turkish preschool. We've said it several times and we'll say it again, "These kids are our heroes." They put more time into language and culture than any anyone in our family. I think they're really brave.

First Day of School

For Simi, the start was somewhat dramatic, in keeping with his thespian personality. But in recent days, he typically comes home chirping about his good day, his friends, and how he likes his teacher. Guy loved his new school from the start. If you asked him why, he simply answered, "They don't make me eat yogurt." Enough said. 

Lucy does her best to keep up and, preferably, out in front of her brothers. Someone recently asked me about her personality. In canine terms, I refer to her as the alpha female of the house.  She is talking up a storm, wants to do everything everyone else does, and masterfully throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way. Lucky for her, and perhaps contrary to the sentiments of many, we think two year olds are seriously adorable, tantrums not included. 

Lu on her second birthday

The adults in our family are also doing well. We have lots of peace, but not much quiet. The past year seems to have flown by, yet at the same time been so busy that it's hard to believe everything that happened could be contained in 365 days. While neither Jono nor I relish in busy-ness, we are grateful that God gave us the capacity (and the friends to help us!) handle all that came our way in 2014 and trust there will be great joy and sufficient grace for what's ahead. 

I realize this segment of the post reads a good bit like a Christmas card, but in these crazy days, I'll be lucky to get another post off by next January's year-in-review. Thanks for reading anyway!

Christmas 2014

Every once in a while we take a selfie to prove we really exist

Simi explores Turkey