The last time I (Jenni) posted was on the first of September. Since that time (4 months) our life has undergone a radical shift with change on all horizons. I don't like change. I am a sloooow processor. So-the last few months I have been "processing." I will continue to process as well as be in process. I have had moments where I have felt numb, confused, sad, angry, joyful-deliriously joyful, but overall...I have felt HOPE. As I am adjusting and thawing a bit, I feel a new season of aliveness. Life is such a series of ebbing and flowing and everything in life has seasons. I am in that season that feels much like spring to me. I thought I would post some of the things that have been on my mind lately, bringing me hope and inspiring me. Some may seem silly to you, but to me-they speak of God's desire to give bring hope and glory-to show His Love to a weary soul and world. And the infinite care He has on an individual.
Things That Are Inspiring Me:
-thinking about what it would be like to adopt a baby girl from India (after watching "Slumdog Millionaire" I don't think I can look at the world the same again)
-organic gardening, sustainable living, and big piles of compost :)
-international students who live in our own city (the movers and the shakers of their countries)
-learning about raw food preparation (check out aniphyo.com)
-after coaching my sister's labor and seeing the beauty of a woman focused on the most painfully intense job known to man-I am inspired to further pursue becoming a doula
-what incredible gifts my children are-brilliant little lives entrusted to us
-the insanely generous and loving friends in our lives!!!
-community, community, community
-my husband, his life, his passion, his heart (I am a thriving woman because of this man!)
I have so much to be thankful and hopeful for!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Viva Portland!
Life is a journey with lots of unexpected twists and turns. This January our family will be heading back up to Oregon for a season or two. We are excited to see friends, family, the green, and of course Stumptown coffee. Is it still a buck a cup? Probably a buck fifty now...
Jenni will be home schooling the kids along with most of our friends up there. They even have "friday school" where all the home schoolers get together for elective activites. Simon is really stoked to be around some more boys his age... I will be working with the Summer in the USA team to develop the greater Portland region. I think it will be a good season for all of us.
So to all our friends in the Rose City, "Can't wait to see ya!"
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
HOPE
Let nothing disturb you.
Nothing dismay you;
All things are passing:
God never changes.
Patient endurance attains all that it strives for;
Those who have God find they lack nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
Nothing dismay you;
All things are passing:
God never changes.
Patient endurance attains all that it strives for;
Those who have God find they lack nothing.
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
Monday, September 01, 2008
True Confessions...
Sometimes, I really like being naughty. I can't help it, but everytime I eat beans I have a little song going through my head. I couldn't resist teaching it to my children. "Beans, beans are good for the heart, the more you eat, the more you ..." You get the picture. Now, when the kids eat beans, they can't help but think of this little song and we all sing it together. Except for Gerald. He shakes his head in disgust. The other day, I had another little song from my childhood running through my head. Once again, I couldn't resist letting my kids in on this little diddy. "Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. Where is the groom? He's in the dressing room. Why is he there? He lost his underwear." Shameful really. But hearing your 3 year old sing it is worth it! This is Miriam's adaptation: "Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. Where is the broom? It's in another room. Why is it in there? It has lost it's underpants."
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Introducing...Txerra!
Gerald has a new name. This past year he has answered to many different versions of his name-the most popular one being: YERAL. I personally love this one. It makes me laugh. But today, he and Joseba were at the surfboard repair shop to fix a ding on a board (ooh, don't I sound so surf savvy?!). The guy was writing down their names to call them when their boards are repaired. He heard Joseba say Gerald's name and this is what he wrote down: TXERRA. Pronounced: Ch-err-ah. And then confirmed it by addressing Yeral, I mean-Gerald, as "Txerra."
Gerald is quite pleased with the new Basque version of his name. I will miss the old Yeral, but am welcoming in Txerra.
Gerald is quite pleased with the new Basque version of his name. I will miss the old Yeral, but am welcoming in Txerra.
Hey Good-Looking!
Simon has had a rough year. School proved more difficult than we thought. He has struggled with the language and with adapting here. We are figuring out a few different ways in which to lessen his struggle and to adapt with more ease. One thing we are focusing on is helping him to feel competant. He has mastered a few household chores that he takes great delight in. For instance, I no longer have to do any laundry. Simon loves sorting and keeping the laundry clean! He is also quite a coffee making expert. He enjoys grinding the beans and mixing just the right amount of coffee and water. We especially are appreciating this new talent Simon has!
We have also given him the job of "milk guy." When we run out of milk we send him two blocks down our street to a little shop to buy milk. He has the system down to exact change. The women who work in the store seem to have taken a real liking to this blonde headed american boy who buys milk for his family. Sometimes he comes home with freshmade desserts they give to him. The other day Simon came home smiling. He told us he got the store laughing. When he went in, one of the ladies greeted him with: "Hola Guapo!" and not missing a beat, Simon returned the greeting with this: "Hola Guapa!" Apparently, it was a real hit!
We have also given him the job of "milk guy." When we run out of milk we send him two blocks down our street to a little shop to buy milk. He has the system down to exact change. The women who work in the store seem to have taken a real liking to this blonde headed american boy who buys milk for his family. Sometimes he comes home with freshmade desserts they give to him. The other day Simon came home smiling. He told us he got the store laughing. When he went in, one of the ladies greeted him with: "Hola Guapo!" and not missing a beat, Simon returned the greeting with this: "Hola Guapa!" Apparently, it was a real hit!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
You Are Not Sisters...
After playing at the park, Jillian came to me with a disturbed look. She explained that a girl told her that Miriam and her could not be sisters because they were not wearing the same clothes. It is true, most siblings (even brother-sister) wear matching outfits, especially on Sundays. So now, my girls-to validate their "sisterness" will wear matching outfits. Simon has opted out of this one.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Dude where's my bike?
The other day after Miriam and I took the older kids to their day camp, we noticed my bike was missing! I counted 4 bikes several times instead of our normal 5. Then I look closely at the bike lock that was on my bike (now missing) and Simon's bike. The cable lock had a clean cut right through it. Somebody cut my lock and took my bike thankfully leaving Simon's alone. The responses from the kids when they realized what happened were funny....
Miriam- (proud and a pretty happy) "They didn't get mine!"
Jillian- (raising up with clenched fists) "I'm gonna find them and.... No! Let's go to the Police!"
Simon- (after some time thinking quietly...) "Wait Dad! Did you touch the lock... cuz we need to get finger prints!"
Monday, July 28, 2008
So, Today I Washed My Kitchen Floor...
I decided it was finally time to get the gunk off my kitchen floor. I am a maniac sweeper, sweeping upward of 5 or 6 times a day. But, washing the floor-I put off to once a week. I scrubbed my floor so good you could almost eat off it! And wouldn't you know it...Miriam spilled her entire cup of orange juice, Jillian dropped her milk from off the table, and I broke a brand new jar (glass) of corn! So much for my clean floor!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My "Meme"
Today I was "memed"(or however you spell it) by my mom and friend Elisabeth. Looking around at others blogs I see a lot of memming going on. Until this morning, it was new to me, but now I am pretty much an expert. So-here are the official rules as required to post:
-link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
-share 7 facts about yourself on your own blog, weird or random
-tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
-let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
So...7 random or weird facts about myself:
1. I love the name Hilary. It is, in fact, my favorite name. I loved it when I had my first babysitting job for the funnest family who had the cutest little girl I had ever seen. Her name, of course, was Hilary. I wanted to name Jillian Hilary. I can't remember why I didn't, now that I think about it. I was considering voting for Hilary, until, well, you know.
2. I love spicy food. In fact, it is not spicy unless I have a tissue box by my side and I am sweating. I feel powerful when I eat spicy foods. I challenge anyone to to a contest in eating spicy foods. Especially, Thai food. And, I will win.
3. My dream job is to work at Whole Foods, or New Seasons. Or, to be a really amazing chef.
4. My favorite way to give birth is without medication.
5. When people talk to me, or I watch tv, my fingers are always typing out the conversation I am having, or hearing. I have carpal tunnel, because of this.
6. I was raised on raw goats milk. I milked the goats myself, as a 6 year old and then drank the milk. I loved to milk the goats. I don't love goat's milk. Bu I did love the honey yogurt my mom would make with it.
7. While typing this out, I sat next to my 3 year old, who was painting. I had to open several tubs of paint, get out paper, wipe paint off her fingers, wipe paint off my fingers, wipe paint off the computer (sorry Gerald), clean a paint brush, wipe paint off the table, talk to her and answer her questions about the meaning of life all the while. I don't multi-task well, but miraculously, I managed to get this done.
*So, I will tag: Rebecca, Chris and Megan, Vicki, Emilie, and Shannon, and Gerald
-link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
-share 7 facts about yourself on your own blog, weird or random
-tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
-let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
So...7 random or weird facts about myself:
1. I love the name Hilary. It is, in fact, my favorite name. I loved it when I had my first babysitting job for the funnest family who had the cutest little girl I had ever seen. Her name, of course, was Hilary. I wanted to name Jillian Hilary. I can't remember why I didn't, now that I think about it. I was considering voting for Hilary, until, well, you know.
2. I love spicy food. In fact, it is not spicy unless I have a tissue box by my side and I am sweating. I feel powerful when I eat spicy foods. I challenge anyone to to a contest in eating spicy foods. Especially, Thai food. And, I will win.
3. My dream job is to work at Whole Foods, or New Seasons. Or, to be a really amazing chef.
4. My favorite way to give birth is without medication.
5. When people talk to me, or I watch tv, my fingers are always typing out the conversation I am having, or hearing. I have carpal tunnel, because of this.
6. I was raised on raw goats milk. I milked the goats myself, as a 6 year old and then drank the milk. I loved to milk the goats. I don't love goat's milk. Bu I did love the honey yogurt my mom would make with it.
7. While typing this out, I sat next to my 3 year old, who was painting. I had to open several tubs of paint, get out paper, wipe paint off her fingers, wipe paint off my fingers, wipe paint off the computer (sorry Gerald), clean a paint brush, wipe paint off the table, talk to her and answer her questions about the meaning of life all the while. I don't multi-task well, but miraculously, I managed to get this done.
*So, I will tag: Rebecca, Chris and Megan, Vicki, Emilie, and Shannon, and Gerald
Notesinspanish.com
If you are interested in learning spanish, or reviewing the two years you had in highschool...I am going to give a shout out to one of my favorite websites: notesinspanish.com
This couple living in Madrid, Spain (he is from the UK and she is a from Madrid) put together awesome podcasts to help english speakers learn spanish. I love listening to them when I am washing dishes or cooking, or going for walks with the ipod. There are three levels you can choose from (beginner, intermediate, and advanced.) Let me know what you think!
This couple living in Madrid, Spain (he is from the UK and she is a from Madrid) put together awesome podcasts to help english speakers learn spanish. I love listening to them when I am washing dishes or cooking, or going for walks with the ipod. There are three levels you can choose from (beginner, intermediate, and advanced.) Let me know what you think!
Back Together Again!
After several weeks divided by the Oceano Atlantico, our family is back together again! Gerald and Simon returned home to us girls in Basque Country from a full and fun time in Portland. I was personally very happy that the time seemed to fly by. My wonderful mother came to stay with us girls and we deemed ourselves "on holiday." A couple of day trips to my beloved Francia, a day at the IKEA in Bilbo (this is basque for Bilbao), lots of walking, several cafe con leches, one or two cafe au lait, and...voila! The boys were home!!! Gerald and I were even able to take two days to get away to Burgos, Spain (courtesy of my mom.) It was my first time to be in Spain outside of the Basque Country. It had a very different feel. I will post pic's soon of our time.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Simon goes to camp!
Simon went to Trout Creek Bible Camp outside of Portland for the first time this week. Here he is with friends from birth; Timmy and Jonah. They had a great time and will all be back together next summer. According to Simon their counselor "Cricket" was the best counselor ever!
Ushue, Jenni, and Miren in our plaza.
During the summer the courtyard of our apt. building is a great place to be. The kids play and race around there... and neighbors stop and talk as they come and go. The other day these friends came over for a coffee and dinner. They have both in Portland with our program and now are at one of the Colleges in our town. SIMON'S VIEW.
The other day we went for a walk and then met friends for lunch. Simon asked to use the camera and we were happy to give him something to do for the long walk. After looking at the pictures we thought this would be a great way to show you more of our city, our friends, and Simon's unique perspective. Enjoy!
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