Growin' Up So Fast

Our kids sure are growing up! All of them will have birthdays again in the next month or so.

Static-Girl: small of stature but sporting a powerful shock and scorching scold. Watch out for her glare AND her kisses...

Favorite song: "Mamo Nash Ir" (Mongolian lullaby)

The Yeller: superpower includes both piercing high-pitch and tremendous volume. Unfortunately his powers do not seem to have an "off" switch...

Favorite song - "Afternoon Delight"...?!

The Wacky-Tackler: demonstrates a variety of curious interests and skills - kung-fu, memorizing songs, drawing strange creatures, and tackling dad from behind...

Favorite song: "Jedi" by Weird Al

Lil' stocking stuffer?

Santa was NOT pleased with these kids last Christmas! That's a big lump of coal. Or perhaps, in Mongolia, that means you were a really GOOD child... it could keep our house warm for days! Especially with the heat wave we have been having lately...

snow has actually been melting! If you don't know, that is HIGHLY unusual for Mongolia in February. And of course it followed right after I shoveled another 2+ TONS into my coal closet!

Overnighters

Every other week or so we keep some strange company... the Lains! We feel so sorry for them in that horribly warm apartment, with all that running water, that we invite them for an overnighter on occasion (plus we usually make lattes when they come!). The kids have a blast even though we confine them to the upstairs (except for Edie who prefers to hang out with adults). It is very nice to spend time talking about our backgrounds (theirs much more interesting than ours!) and our dreams (surprisingly similar!), and get the chance to pray meaningfully with one another. It's all good... well, except for the small lice incident...

Preschool Days

Thanks to good snow this year this is what our school bus has looked like for Edie. On this day I made the mistake of thinking that it would be just as easy to pull Saiah down to the school and then back with Edie, as without Saiah.

Now that the first of the year has come and gone the Hepatitis that was a worry in Saiah's class is gone and he is back at Mongolian preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This gives me much needed time to do other jobs without kids. Yesterday was his first day back and he came out telling me how it was his "best day at preschool ever". Then he continued to tell me how he pested his teacher during the entire time he was to be sleeping. Not a surprise but, I have true sympathy since he does that to me the other three days of the week.

They are both doing well with preschool and Edie even taught me a new word in Mongolian this week, I just wish I could remember what it was!!

"Snow Daughters"

Here is our adorable little girl. She is all dressed up with her friends for her school program. I know I showed you pictures of their programs before, but these are worth a closer look. It is especially important to know that Edie was sick that day and the only reason I took her to school was so she could be part if the program and then she was a pro!

Merry Christmas

What a Christmas this year! Our holidays must have resembled many of yours it was full of parties. We counted the other day, we were invited or helped plan 8 different Christmas/New Years parties, crazy! We are relieved to say that we did not make it to all, thanks to Jeremy's terrible cold, but those we did make were a good time!

Here is us after the presents had been opened, as always too much good stuff to count. Thanks to all who prayed for us during the holidays. We trust yours were as blessed as ours.

Holiday Programs

On the 19th we were a busy family with 2 school programs in one day. We started at Edie's preschool for her class program. This was a variety of children singing/staring at the parents, a short play that included also of prodding by the teachers and our Edie was part of the dance of the snow daughters. Here again, there was a cryer among the girls and constant reminders from the teachers of what was the next move. We were so proud of our girl since she had to be bribed to dance with the required dress, shoes, and hair bows. She is above with her teacher showing everyone how it should be done.

Phew, next one. In the afternoon we had Zeke and Saiah's program. This included games, singing an Australian rendition of Jingle Bells, recorder playing and play staring the oldest girl in the class, Jubilee. Notice the picture of their program, the teacher was busy handing out the words of the next song and absent-mindedly handed Saiah the microphone. His face says it all. He was master of the mic for only about a minute but, he had all the adults roaring with laughter!!

By evening we were exhausted and treated ourselves to dinner out with most all the team in Darhan. What a great day!!

Winter has set in!

So, I know that we usually have cute pics of the kids but for all you folks from the temperate climates, here it is. Our wonderful helper did laundry, yes by hand, and this is what we got home to at 5pm. The trick is to get them brought in the house before the sun goes down and it is really cold. So this time the jeans and sweatshirts dripped, before this week it was warm enough that though frozen the water dripped off before they were brought in.

Note of interest, it takes 4 days for frozen clothes to dry and yes, when you pick them up they are stiff, almost rock hard!

Cowkids!!

Here are our three cowkids!! You will notice that their choice of hats varies, but all still very authentic for the job they have selected.

Mrs Teacher

Our schoolhouse teacher, Ms. Kirsten, has been sick the last couple of days... so Krista has been filling in! Sure it has been a bit stressful (10 or so kids in 5 grades in 1 classroom), but she is a super-mom! As far as I know all of the kids are still alive and a few of them even passed their tests today ;) But "super-mom" is a bit tired... We sure appreciate our schoolteacher!!

More Outdoor Fun

Here we are casually crossing a pleasant stream on a bridge of our own making! I'm thankful we had such a nice camping trip early September, because we are already using the woodstove and wearing long-johns to work!! There is always a window between the weather turning cold and the city's heat being turned on. Yes, we have had our first frosts and the garden is now OUT of commission... but I guess it would be anyway because of the cows getting into it while we were gone. But is it too cold to go fishing next week...?

Great Outdoors

One of our visit highlights was camping in the Mongolian countryside... especially because we had trees! Speaking of trees, here is the infamous "dead stump" of a tree that broke Zeke's arm. Don't ask me what he was thinking! But no worries this trip, except for the lightning storm in the middle of the night... I think my sleeping bag was the only one that got wet.

Building bridges across the stream, watching the herds of horses go by, looking for caves, telling stories, a few smores and lots of coffee! Not to mention solitude... except for the 300 year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple across the valley. Not all that easy to get to (a few mts. and rivers to cross) but definitely worth the trip!

Grandparents' Visit

We have had a wonderful visit with "grandma & grandpa" over the past 2 weeks. We've had so much fun it has flown by! We started out in UB enjoying the "fancy" stores and restaurants. Here we are at an Irish Pub in Mongolia... doesn't it look like we belong?! I think we have also had Italian, American, Mongolian and tonight maybe Thai food.

Then we moved on up to Darhan and relaxed in the quiet comfort of our cozy cabin... while grandpa took care of all of the kids! Enjoy this rare footage!! Not long after that they moved into one of our CAMA apartments in town... More to come on our great visit!

Our Not-so-little Girl

First day of school for Eden... notice the frown. At least she isn't screaming! Despite the morning tears she genuinely seems to like her teacher and the other kids. Sometimes she can't decide if she likes being a "big girl" who has her own school now, or if she prefers to stay close to mommy or daddy. A lot of times she would rather stay inside and hang out with adults rather than play... lots of attention! But she also loves to listen and watch other kids. Pray for her!

School's In

It's that time of year again already! Here are our VERY excited young students on their first day of MK school... Isaiah (starting Kindergarten), Averi Lain (2nd grade), and Zeke (3rd grade). Miss Kirsten has 10 students in our little Darhan school this year, though Krista will be helping out with Saiah every morning in their very own kindergarten class! Eden will probably start Mongolian pre-school Sept. 1st.

One Big Team!

Well, here we are - CAMA Mongolia. There are a few extras (a vision team from Tennessee), but not too many, and I think that adults are now officially outnumbered by kids!! We are very blessed. Our initial team in 2003 was about 7 families, which went down to 2 (the Yims and us!), but now we have 7 just in Darhan (if you match up Alli our Australian and Kirsten the MK kids' teacher) and 4 in UB. Praise God! What will all of these people do?! Well, at least half of them are still in language study...

New Friends

Our team just received 2 new families in UB and 2 here in Darhan. Right after breakfast our kids run over to play with the Lains (Avery & Eli), who have been staying in a Mongolian ger and "living with" one of our neighbor families. Eden would be there too, but she is still pouting over her toast. Tomorrow we all head to our Field Forum Retreat!

New Pups

They showed up on our doorstep and, after Saiah fed them once, refused to leave. I refused to feed them (Mongolians don't like female puppies, not functional enough) ...but finally gave in because the kids were having so much fun. So, please meet "Puppy Chow" and "Snack Attack." Also notice the green in our yard and the coming vegetables! Oh, and we mongolianized (de-Americanized?) the water pump and it is working much better...

Mongolia's Wild West

It was a long and fast trip through the Wild West of Mongolia, 11 days through almost as many states (with a focus on Hovd, Ovs and Bayan-Ulgii). But we did manage to get out of the car every once in awhile. We even found a few nice camping spots (yes, most of it was as bare as the pictures suggest). For more info you'll have to ask email and ask for a summary!

Livestock Safari

Another weekend fieldtrip! We took our visiting dentist (Dr. Anderson) and his lovely assistant (Linda) a half-hour north and found this Mongolian oasis. Loads of camels and horses and cows, not to mention goats and sheep... ALL five of the traditional Mongolian livestock! It was a super hot day (104F) but we had lots of fun. Then we went to Bulgan to visit our friends the Bergevins (and ride horses), and now I am getting ready to head West on an even bigger adventure!

Lil' Angel...

Here's our little cutie snuggling a kitty...
of course, she is just as likely to grab it by the tail or the neck and dance a jig, but isn't she beautiful!? She must be outside whenever possible, and she must wear boots because wherever there is water and mud, that's where she'll be! She keeps her brothers in line, and all the neighbors for that matter, with her index finger and a zinging scold. Yup, that's our girl!

School's Out

School is out and our mischievious band of MK kids are back on the streets! Zeke is enjoying staying at home (I didn't even see him this morning because he was sleeping in). He wakes up (eventually), eats breakfast in his underwear, plays on his GameBoy, watches a movie, grabs a snack, plays on the computer... he doesn't realize that we are going to kick him out of the house whenever there is no rain or sandstorm! It will be a little more difficult to make him play with his little brother and sister...

Garden Time

It's that time of year! Krista has been busy planting and watering. Thankfully we have lots of helpers! Here they are trying out our foot-pump (quite popular with the neighbors since our hand-pump is having problems!). It's a bit messy, but we are trying to canal the water through our garden. Notice the small trees behind them beginning to bud and the small patch of grass to the right... pathetic for an Oregonian, but we finally have some green!

Out and About

We went on a fieldtrip the other week and it was quite the Mongolian adventure! After figuring out the "pecking order" with the local bully (see pic) our kids were able to chase the goat kids to their hearts' content. And of course there was plenty of fresh milk, which was good because we didn't take lunches and we were stuck there for quite some time with a flat tire (and no spare). Thankfully friends brought some glue and a bike pump so we could fix the tube...

Naptime

Mongolians say that Spring makes you tired (probably from surviving the long harsh winter). Well, it is true, and we have been exhausted this past week. Our projects and churches are a juggling act, our house and well need some work, and there is a big beautiful garden to plant! God help us to help Him!

Basking on Ice

Summertime in Mongolia! I know I promised no more ice pictures... but if that's so then you may never see a picture of us again! The weather has been fabulous, despite the thickness of ice. Saiah just HAD to dig into our boxes to find his shorts... and Eden doesn't want to wear any clothes at all! We had a nice little stroll, and sometimes we take our kite. Too bad we didn't have our beach blankets! We could even make snow castles... but I don't suppose anyone would want to be buried on our beach...

Happy B-Day x 3

Happy Birthday to Eden and Saiah! 3 and 5, we can't believe it... and Zeke turns 8 in a week or so! We kept our parties small and simple (of course I had a leadership training all that weekend!). Eden got a chocolate cake (American) and Saiah got this frosting bonanza right here in Darhan. Thankfully the weather has been great so they have played outside LOTS! Their favorite toy is the shovel and so far we have a nice big pit right in the middle of garden. We're just happy to have them outside!

Intensity on Ice

Ok, last picture of ice for the year, honest! (Actually I don't have a choice because our long Mongolian winter is apparently over!). We are now officially moving on to Birthday season. Two of Zeke's friends had birthdays recently (the Liberda boys), and they went ice-skating at the nearby homemade rink. It was Zeke's first time and he had a wonderful attitude... he also got lots of advice, like from this young expert. Next week we will celebrate both Isaiah and Eden's birthdays, followed next month by Zeke and Krista! With all of these parties, along with the slushy puddles, tis our season to be jolly...

Sledders

Yes, I know you are getting tired of pictures of snow and ice...
but you are going to have to deal with it, about half the year, and be thankful you are not living it! We had a lot of fun this last weekend on a team Prayer Retreat. Normally trees are not a hazard to consider in Mongolia, but it was quite exciting to try and avoid them as well as all of the small children wobbling around! Thankfully all of those layers act as a good buffer. Now we are looking for Spring, especially with the temperature dipping above freezing the other day. Here come the T-shirts and shorts!

Watering Hole

Here is the local watering hole - the Haraa river about 100 meters from our house. Thankfully we mostly only see the cows using it now, although before taking the picture I told another man to please get water from our well. The ice is at least a foot thick, perhaps not smooth enough for skates but great for a little sled ride with our friends! If you can stand the bitter wind, that is...

Here's Johnny...

We have an announcement to make... our middle son will heretorfore be referred to as "Johnny" - a head-banging lead guitarist for his new band, Rockadooz. He's been practicing quite a bit, and he has some moves that will really make you gasp (in amazement, or perhaps just in fits of laughter). Anyway, thought you should know.

Beauties

Things are much better now that everyone is healthy ... mostly. Krista is on her last couple weeks of medication, praise God! Eden is a busybody - up and down the ladder, carrying the cat all over the house, and changing her clothes like a mad woman. She also colors in most of her free time (when she is not helping Orna to wash dishes and clothes). Anyway, I think they are pretty! Zeke, though, is in his "I hate girls" phase, so don't ask him.

Rough Start

Well, 2008 is off to a "rough" start. I know we look happy, but it is COLD! And it is going to get colder this weekend (-40). Several of us were sick this last week, including both parents. Who is supposed to cook and keep the fire going when that happens?! But things are looking up. Actually we are always looking up, which is where our hope and our strength come from! I believe it is going to be a wonderful year after all...

First Christmas

Eden has never celebrated Christmas before ... but I think she likes it! She loves keeping all of her goodies in a stocking, especially her gum. She can chew it for hours! She likes getting presents, especially her little plastic tea set (it is hard to find nice gifts here, i.e. anything more than $5). Unfortunately she is not quite old enough to understand WHY we are celebrating Christmas. Hopefully all of Mongolia's children will come to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Lots of silliness occurred during our Christmas break. Most of us had been sick one way or another, so we didn't do anything productive the entire time... but I realized that just living can be pretty hard work sometimes! How did the pioneers do it? How do Mongolians?!

Eden's 1st Christmas

We put up our decorations, which took about 15 minutes total, and we spend about that much time every day picking them up again as Eden takes ornaments off the tree, figures off the advent calendar, or pictures off the Waiting Tree. I think she likes Christmas! She is either cute as pie, walking around singing "Yesus, Yesus" (Jesus in Mongolian), or a mischeivious elf. Isaiah usually is too, but he has hardly gotten up from his bed all week with a fever! A blessed Christmas to all...

Christmas cookies

We had a very enjoyable weekend at our friends' (the Bergevins) new home in Bulgan (3 hours west of Darhan). They have 4 little girls and will hopefully begin some new projects and house churches there this next year... they've got their hands full! We had a lot of fun with them - for me that meant checking out their house's construction and contraptions,
and for the kids that meant playing and making Christmas cookies. Although I did enjoy a cookie or two myself...

Can you dig it?

The ground is beginning to freeze here in Mongolia, but Saiknaa and his crew are still driving wells. We have slowly perfected the process and completed 14 of these wells. Next year we are praying for God to enable us to do at least 50. It's pretty simple - weld a point on a piece of pipe, beat it into the ground, weld on another pipe, repeat - but it sure is HARD work! This well (about 35' deep) was for Tsetsekmaa and cost about $150, half of which the families are asked to raise themselves.

Yard Soccer

We got in a little game of soccer this weekend, which is good because we got a lot of snow last night. Not that you can't play soccer in the snow! It is Zeke's new favorite sport (can you tell his school is very international?!). Also notice the little green tree in our yard... I planted 3 of them (plus my 6 poplars). Anything to add some green!

Work, work, work

We are back to work ... well, at least these guys are. Zeke is doing great in the 2nd grade at our little MK school. He's especially working on spelling and reading, which he is finally interested in doing. Saiah is back going to Mongolian pre-school, which some days he is excited about and other days he cries hysterically. But he loves coming home and doing English homework with his big brother! And so does Eden, though nobody is quite sure what she is writing or drawing. Isn't it funny how kids love to try things and learn ... whatever happened to us?!

Excitement

I love the nervous energy of kids starting school! Our boys are so excited to go and make friends, learn how to read, swim or play dodgeball (do they still do that?)... it's a little bit scary, and it's a lot of work, but think of the experiences and growth that will occur! I have to say that I kind of feel the same way about going back to Mongolia (Sept 23rd). It's a little overwhelming to follow Jesus, and there will be plenty of sacrifice, but think of the chances to grow and help people... possibly even save them for eternity. That's exciting! We hope you are excited to go and grow this year too.