13 years! :o)

It's so hard to believe that I've now been married 13 years!!! 13 years ago today at 3:00 p.m. EST, I married the "boy" I have known his entire life. (o.k. I'm a whopping 15 months older than him! ha).

What an incredible life it's been.... seminary life, missionary life in Russia, 3 adoptions, and then now to Minnesota. Wow! Who knows what's in store for us throughout the rest of our lives, but I know this- it will be an adventure, just as the past 13 years have been!

Something funny... never has this happened before, but as we were riding down the road today, I looked at my husband and said, "aw, man! I didn't buy you an anniversary card! " He looked just as shocked as I was when I realized I had forgotten, and responded, "my goodness! I didn't get you one either!" We both started laughing and can't get over that happening though! Anniversaries are important to us. We try to make them very special.

I think I'll get off this blog right now, and send him an e-card. :o)

Staying in Jax

My ordeal with the bug spray has just gotten ridiculous! We ended up in a motel Wednesday through Friday nights! I spent yesterday with my mother in law and my kids while my husband and his Dad went to take care of some things. We didn't return to my parents until time to sleep basically, and I automatically got sick! I just stayed in our room with the door closed. This morning, I couldn't get going! Yet, I knew I absolutely HAD to get out of the house for my health's sake.

I went to church and afterwards, we decided I was going to have to spend the night elsewhere. So, we left for our anniversary trip early. I'm not complaining, getting to spend an extra night in a hotel with my hubby, but I do miss my kids. We've had Monday and Tuesday night away planned for months, but an extra night away, well.. I do miss them :o/

Oh well, I do look forward to the next couple of days. Tomorrow is our 13th anniversary. Hard to believe we are already in the teens! :o)

Another bed, another city....

Yes! Here we are... different motel, different city, but here we are. We returned to the house today and it got so bad the left side of my face, just near my lips started twitching and the inside went numb! Yes, I said numb! It was so very strange, and I could actually taste the bug spray. I was sitting there at one point holding the baby (19 months old), and he started gagging for no apparent reason. (he DOES put everything in his mouth, but this was one of those cases where I knew he had not.) I feel he was having trouble from the spray too. (we know he seems to have sinus trouble).

So, I told my husband that no matter how much I hate to spend the $ for it, we were going to be spending much more in the ER if I didn't get out of there, and possibly the baby too. He readily agreed. (he wasn't feeling the best). I can't believe my Mom could take it, but she and Dad are fine. Dad just stays in his room for the most part to avoid it.

Now, tomorrow... well, I just don't know. I will try my best to just stay away most of the time. Surely it will be better tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!

Unexpected Motel Stay

This is Florida, and yes... we get bugs! Big bugs, medium bugs, baby bugs.. bugs, bugs, bugs!!! Yikes! It was becoming ridiculous at my parents home, and especially the exact day the "bug man" (o.k., I know some of you will think it funny I call him the bug man, but we do call the exterminator that!). Anyway, the day he left last, it seemed to get worse! My husband was just sure the company had set out more bugs or something! ha ha It did make you wonder!

So, today was the day the bug man returned (same company, different guy). He concentrated on the kitchen, dining room, that half of the house (bedrooms there), and the living room. He did not yet go in our bedroom or my parents. He sprayed so much in the kitchen and dining room that I just couldn't take it. I honestly felt like I was dying! I started feeling like I was choking, couldn't breathe, arms pounding (differently than they do when I have a fibro attack!), and it ended up that I feel congested in the lungs from this stuff.

Anyway, it became so bad, we just couldn't stay there tonight. So, after VBS tonight, we went to a motel in a near by city. (thanks to my parents who insisted we do!) I still am having trouble, but sooooo much better being away from it.

So, an unexpected motel stay- nice place by the way. Peaceful. I like peaceful. (yes, the kids are with us, but they're sleeping :o)

Tired and more tired....

Vacation Bible School is this week. We are teaching the Primary class- grades 3 and 4. They can sure be a rowdy bunch, but so far, so good. The theme is Australia (the outback to be exact) and we are having fun with it.

I have been battling my fibromyalgia as well as chronic fatigue for several days now. It's actually been unrelenting. I believe though it has a lot to do with the way I've been busy non-stop for the past few days... with my parent's 50th anniversary party plans, this VBS, etc. etc. The list goes on.

Tonight at VBS, there was a girl in our class that says she is not saved, but will be one day. The reason? Her grandma (whom she lives with) doesn't feel she's ready. How sad is that!? I was truly proud of the other kids who said, "what do you mean, SHE doesn't think you're ready?!" It was amazing to me to think of how this grandma is playing with this girl's life. Sad... just sad.

Wonder how it will all happen...

When I think of all we have to accomplish in the next month (the kids and I will accompany Glenn on August 15th- he has already been, established a house, returning there next week!).... well, I just get a bit overwhelmed. So, I am trying to take this one task at a time.

We are teaching a class in Vacation Bible School this coming week, beginning Monday. That will be nightly, Monday through Friday. During this week, obviously in the day, we will be packing more of our stuff. The following Monday and Tuesday, Glenn and I will be gone to celebrate our 13th anniversary! We return Wednesday, wash Glenn and Ethan's clothes so that they can leave on Thursday for Minnesota!!!! They will drive our truck on the way up, stay several days, and fly back to Florida to help us finish packing everything else. Actually, they return one day before my parent's 50th wedding anniversary celebration (renewal of the vows), of which I am in charge! Wow.... just sooo much going on here.

We spent Saturday shopping for 3 different things- VBS, anniversary party, AND moving. Just a bit overwhelming. Pray for me! I especially want this anniversary to go very well for my parents. Mom got a new dress that is beautiful!

Sure wonder how it will all happen, but I know it will... one thing at a time.

Crying over Chocolate

Yes, you read that right. I admit, I LOVE chocolate, but that's not why I was crying. No, this was no ordinary chocolate. Tonight, my husband said, "close your eyes and open your mouth." My husband likes to joke with me, so not really sure what on earth was about to happen, I hesitated, but at last, I complied.

Upon tasting the chocolate he had just placed in my mouth, I cried. It was my favorite chocolate from Russia!!!! I didn't know he had saved anymore back from his last trip there in May. Why cry over chocolate?! I guess because this is no ordinary chocolate. It's my favorite, it's from Russia, and I miss the place! Yes, I do. It became home, and although I truly am ready to get to Minnesota and our new home, I miss the past. How can I not?! It became a part of me. It became a part of who I was, who I am.

With the taste of that chocolate, I was taken back to days when I had just had enough of the madness and was ready to run anywhere, and reached for the chocolate I kept in the house. With yet another taste, I was reminded of parties we had in our home, especially at holidays. I would pass out chocolates to our guests. I remembered sharing chocolates with my friends and talking about many many different things. I remembered including chocolates at Christmas time / New Year's holiday in gifts for orphans, and needy families.

I remembered days gone by and I cried.

I'm 'zausted

My 7 year old daughter when she's tired will say, "I'm zausted." That's my sentiment exactly right now. Because I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome ( http://www.fibrohugs.com if interested in knowing more about them!) , I truly do get 'zausted quicker than most folks. :o(

Anyway, we are at our state association meeting (with our like minded group of churches). I am writing this from our hotel room. My kids are really enjoying their Papa being home (oh yes, for those who don't know- our kids call their dad, "papa". This started when we brought home our daughter from Russia. It's the Russian way of saying "dad". In Spanish, a papa is a potato, so my boys are certain to wonder why we call our dad the same name as a potato! ha ha Said like "pa-pah", and it's Spanish for "dad." )

They are climbing all over him while I am blogging away. Papa will be gone again to Minnesota by the end of this month. He's going to be here to celebrate our 13th anniversary and then right after (like the day after!), he'll be back to Minnesota. He'll then fly back for my parent's 50th anniversary party (that I am hosting- so super busy getting it all planned/finalized), and then we as a family will be together in Minnesota at last!!

I am 'zausted thinking of all that's going on- this meeting, then next week, we will be teaching a class in Vacation Bible School. (Mon-Fri at night). The very next Monday and Tuesday, we will be gone just the two of us for two nights- to celebrate our anniversary. Husband will go to Minnesota, I'll be finalizing last minute stuff for my parents' shin-dig, and then have the shin-dig. All that while packing up everything else for moving!

I would post more right now, but I think I better go save my husband from the kids- or.... maybe I'll help them! ha ha

He has done just that!

Why are we sometimes amazed when God does just what we prayed for?! Throughout this looking for a house thing, we have prayed that God would just open the doors to the house HE wants us to have, and close the doors we might go through that are not the right ones.

My husband called me this morning to say, "You're going to be surprised at this, but really, maybe you won't be, and shouldn't be... the man I had an appointment with to see a house this morning, called and said it was canceled. The owners decided to not rent after all, as they want to just sell it." Now, amazing?! Yes, it was God. You see, the entire time my husband has been in the twin cities area searching for a home, things like this have happened. There was the man who had several interesting looking properties for rent, but never ever contacted us, except to say, "look at them all online and let me know." Hello! We were interested in an actual appointment to see in person one of these places! We responded, but he never returned that email.

There was the woman with whom dh had an appointment who called to say something came up with one of the 4 houses she had available. When asking her about the others, they all turned out to not be what we needed- too small, or not in the right area for us. We began feeling God was leading us to indeed rent the third home dh looked at. We were about convinced, but kept appointments to see others. Then, when seeing the others, they were not as in good shape, but still cost the same amount of rent $, not something we were interested in, and the list goes on!

Then, there came two beautiful new houses! Glenn went and saw them both. Rent was even cheaper than the house we had so far felt God leading us to, but we had pretty much decided to go with the home we had "chosen". Then this morning, oh this morning.... pictures came in through email of these two beautiful new houses. I became confused, as they were so beautiful. The house we had chosen by the way is equally beautiful, but one of these new ones in particular caught my eye because of the kitchen being just well, gorgeous!

We spent 45 minutes on the phone going back over the pros and cons of each of the three top choices. The one we had chosen doesn't have the island in the kitchen like the others, but it does have a sort of "attached" one, making it well, not really an island but a "bar" for lack of a better word.

The other new houses have the island, but no deck. A deck is absolutely NOT a deal breaker, but there is a major problem. The deck is 'supposed' to be there-planned for, has a door for, on the SECOND floor. This with three small kids, one which is hyper, the other two, well, 3 years old and 19 months old currently... I could just picture the scene: our daughter would open the door, just wanting to "open the door, Mama, I just want to look out here". Then, she would forget to lock it and at some point, at that exact point, that exact second that I was NOT looking, the 3 year old WOULD open the door and would definitely fall out, breaking an arm and/or leg. If not him, the baby would happen upon said door. That was enough right there to say, "I just don't feel complete peace about it." (the same way I felt about a nice house that was lake side- no peace).

The house we felt all along good about.... well, it won out. Why? Simply put, we feel peace about it, it feels right, we feel that God wants us to have it. It also is in a good location ministry wise. I feel God leading all along.

It feels good. Oh yes! Upon hanging up the phone, knowing Glenn would be calling the realtors to tell them the news, I felt a bit nervous. Now, I just know we did the right thing.

That feels good. Really good.

Open doors, close the doors, Lord

The search for a house in the Mini-Apples area continues! My husband looked at an older house yesterday with very small rooms, the one we were very interested in seeing got re-scheduled for this morning.... So, I was very anxious to hear his update. As it turns out, the one we wanted to see was "o.k.", but the same realtor took him to a small town down the road that had a much nicer house. Hubby sent me pictures and either he takes a great picture, or the house is wonderful for us! I am in love!

We are certainly not house snobs, for after all, we lived in 4 apartments in Russia that each needed repairing of some sort. However, my husband said that the newer houses are just a few more dollars a month than the older smaller house he saw yesterday (sometimes just like $10 more a month!). We are certainly learning a lot about cost of living in the states! St. Petersburg was very high in many things (considered the 8th most expensive city in which to live), but housing, although comparatively (for what you get), not cheap, is not near the price we must may in the cities.

We have specifically prayed that God will open the doors to the house He has in mind for us, and close the doors where they need to be shut! It's happening! Glenn was supposed to see some houses today but the woman called to say one had trouble, and described the others. The others were not in a part of the cities in which we want to live. So, God shut that door, and it didn't waste any further time.

I must say I am getting excited to hear after each house he sees. Tomorrow, I think he has four to see! Keep praying for him and us here. The kids are really missing their papa.

Our 4th of July/hubby begins house hunt

As I was saying yesterday, I really am thankful to be an American. I know we should always be so, but I guess it naturally just hits me more around the 4th. We had a good holiday. The kids spent the night last night at my inlaws house, and so today I went and spent the rest of the day and evening there. We had a good time, went to Applebee's for supper, and then back to their house. I got my baby son to sleep and he stayed with Grandpa, while Grandma, me, C and E went to see some fireworks just down the road. They were absolutely wonderful! Couldn't have asked for better!

This was our sons' first 4th of July. That's touching in itself. They come from El Salvador and Guatemala. It's wonderful to have them home and feel how blessed we are to all be here in this great country!

God bless America!

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Hubby left this morning for Mini Apples. He saw one house that he just didn't think was it. The other one he was to see this evening- the realtor called to say she was very sick and asked to re-schedule with her associate for the morning. So, my dh will be going then. I was disappointed, but that's because I guess I am so impatient! ha He'll see it tomorrow, and they actually have him another one to see then too. So, I am excited!

Got to go... hubby is on yahoo im right now.

So, what happened yesterday that I never posted about?! Church was really good yesterday. We had a patriotic song service in the morning, led by my husband, and I played the piano. We did the pledges (not just the American flag, but also to the Christian flag and to the Bible). We even sang the National Anthem, at which point, I cried.

Yes, I cried. For the past seven years or so, I've cried any time I hear "The Star Spangled Banner". It just started happening when we moved to Russia, and even though we are state side now, I can't help but have tears fall thinking about how it is to live in such a free country where freedom is just, well, second nature really. I've lived amongst people who once were not free and will probably never really be as free as we are here. It makes you think and be thankful for the privileges we have.

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Tomorrow morning early, my husband will fly to Mini Apples :o) where he will begin looking at houses for us to rent. I am excited ! He has many, many to see over the next few days. I hope that I will be able to post here in the next couple of days all about his "adventures in house hunting." Stay tuned....

Mini Apples, houses, and other things

I changed my blog title to what I had always planned on naming it in the first place: Mini Apples: Journey to a New Home. When we first visited the twin cities area, and got to Minneapolis, we told our 7 year old daughter "we're here in Minneapolis!" She later replied, "I really like Mini Apples. It's a nice city." No longer is it Minneapolis, but forever known to our family as "Mini Apples".

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We've been looking online at soooo many houses for rent in MN, that we go to bed at night with visions of homes in our head! Does it have 3 bedrooms? 4?
1 bathroom? or 2? What part of the twin cities is it in? Closer to Mini Apples, or closer to St. Paul? The list goes on! Living in St. Petersburg, Russia, we were always in an apartment. It was furnished at that! We have never had to go house-hunting because there wasn't that option really, there. So, this is all new to us! We're having fun, even if a bit overwhelmed.

It hits me at different times how different life is here than in Russia. I think my mind is just still not grasping that we are no longer "Missionaries to Russia". We are now "Missionaries in Minnesota". I must tell you, I don't know why God has asked us to leave Russia, but I thank Him for it. Thank Him for letting me leave? NO! It was home, and I long for St. Petersburg many days. However, I thank Him for asking us to do whatever He has planned for us in MN. After all, since it's part of His plan, I choose not to question, but to honor His wishes, and go. Just go. Minnesota is foreign to a Florida girl, but God prepared us for many aspects by allowing us to live in Russia. You know, someone just said to me last week, "Just think! Maybe God had you live in Russia to prepare you for Minnesota! Maybe it was His plan all along!" Well, yes.... it was His plan for us to go to Minnesota, but it was once His plan for us to be in Russia. I do know what the man meant though... maybe one day we will look back and say, "NOW I got it! NOW I know why He asked us to move to Russia- it was so we could relate to the Russians here in Minnesota, it was so we would be prepared to live in the cold here, it was so we could reach those precious people, have a burden for them, and __________"

I can't wait to fill in the blank!