A Little Bit of Love

Today was an exceptionally difficult day for Simon. The language and relationships have been challenging for him. He was feeling lonely and discouraged. I think God has such sweet timing. He cares even for the little things.

A package arrived at our house today. In it was a gigantic pile of....(drum roll, please)...Pokeman cards!!! My little boy was practically jumping out of his skin with excitement and disbelief at his "good fortune!"

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Jen and Trey!!!

Simon's sweet teachers informed Gerald the other day that they were going to start taking english classes this week so that they could talk to Simon and help him more. I am speechless!!!

First Day

This is Miriam on the way to her first day of school.

This is one possibility of what could happen if you left an open jar of Nutella on the kitchen table and you have a two year old.

An Italian Dinner

In our language class there is a wonderful couple from Italy. We enjoy their company so much! The other night they came to our house and prepared a meal for us. It was all fish and seafood. I wished all my friends who loved good food were here to enjoy it-it was such a feast. An authentic Italian meal made by 2 AMAZING Italian cooks...in MY kitchen. I kept thinking a camera crew was about to enter any moment and put us on Oprah. We had crustaceans of some sort (?), octopus (a personal favorite of Simon), salmon, stingray, anchovies, fish liver (it was really good), and some other stuff. I went to bed that night deciding I could never eat again. Well...it didn't last.

It Has Happened....

This afternoon we had a Basque student to our home for lunch. Simon surprised me by bursting out a greeting in Euskara (the Basque language). I had never heard it before, but Simon knew it, and it was well received. I am so happy!!!! They are learning! :) Also, Simon has been enjoying putting together cool lego creations. Here is one that he made and took a picture of:

A Snapshot of Daily Life

In case you were wondering...I thought I'd give a snapshot of our daily life right now. The schedule here is a bit different from life in the U.S.

School for the kids begins at 9:15
Gerald's language school begins at 9:30
*I will begin school Monday the 29th
Miriam and I walk the 2 miles to school to pick Simon and Jillian for lunch at 1:00
They have from 1:oo-3:00 for a lunch break.
Gerald joins us.
This mid-day lunch break is the biggest meal of the day for Spanish and Basques. The whole town closes up and everyone goes home. The streets are like a ghost town.
We walk or bike the kids back up to school by 3:00 and then pick them up again by 5:15.
Between 5:15 and 9:00 people are out and about. Homes are vacant and the streets are filled with people. Coffee shops are crowded with parents gathering together and children playing in parks or on sidewalks.
People get in the last minute shopping for dinner or for the next days meal.
Dinner begins at 9:00 (unbelievable for Americans!)
and finally-bedtime by 11:30-midnight (yes-this includes kids too, but not ours!!)

I find it odd that my son does not even know his teachers name. You may find it even more odd, that we do not know either.

Pokeman

Simon has been coming home everyday talking about Pokeman. It seems that during recess, all the boys in his class sit together and "trade" or "play" with Pokeman cards. This is a new thing for me and I didn't have a clue what this was. He has been coming home in near tears because he doesn't have the cards to participate in what the other boys are doing. He told us that they don't let him hold theirs to look at them and he is often on the outskirts. Jillian has been reporting to us that our "social" son has been walking around alone at recess. This breaks my heart!!! So...Gerald and I have been on a quest to find these trading cards. Everyday after school we've popped our heads into some little stores that look like they would carry such things. Everywhere we've gone we've been told the same thing-"they have no more" or "they are all out." But, we have been determined to find some!
Today, when Simon came home for lunch he was beaming. He pulled out from behind his back a stack of Pokeman cards. It turns out that one of the mothers from his class knew we were looking for them and had her son bring some for Simon. We are so touched by this sweet act of kindness. I told Gerald that I pray that I am aware of others around me (as this woman was) to show love and kindness.

Tortilla de Patata (potato omlette)

This is a staple here in the Basque Country and I make it several times a week-I am trying to perfect it:

1 onion, chopped

4 potatoes, diced small

5 eggs, beaten

lots of olive oil

*the best baguette you can find!

Saute the onion for about 10 minutes until nice and tender in a lot of olive oil. Add the potatoes and saute along with the onion until they are soft. (I usually add some salt-3/4tsp.)

Have the eggs ready in a bowl, and add the potatoes and onions. Let this mix sit out for several hours to absorb.

Heat a small-med pan with nice sides (at least 2 inches high) and put in the egg mixture. The heat should be med-low. As the bottom cooks, push down the sides and move the pan around so the eggs on top get cooked by the sides (sorry if that doesn't make sense.) The tricky part is the "FLIP." You must get a plate ready and put it over the pan and "flip" the pan over so the omlette flops uncooked side onto the plate. Then you slide the omlette back into the pan (uncooked side facing down so it can cook.) Do this for a minute or so..and then...Voila!!!

For Americans, this will seem like a total breakfast food. But eggs are eaten here for lunch (the big meal, or for dinner-never for breakfast.) Oh, and the tortilla part can fool us Americans too. There are no tortillas in it :)

After Dinner with Ane and Igor

Couldn't Resist...

3 Observations

I have been observing the same 3 things over and over since arriving here. They are as follows:

1. I have seen more twins here than anywhere else in my life. Jillian and I have an ongoing competition to see who can spot twins first. I have also seen two different sets of twins-both over 50, dressed EXACTLY alike.

2. People over 85 or 90 are out and about just like the rest of us. They have great social lives and are an active and valuable part of the community.

3. Those with mental or physical handicaps or down syndrome are highly valued and integral parts of family life and social life.

These are just 3 observations that have stood out to me that I think is so cool (especially the last 2.) Maybe I just haven't seen it as much in the States as I have here. I like it.

Candy

Children are like candy here in the Basque Country. They look so good, and everbody likes them.
Daily I am amazed by the responses and attention people give to children. For instance, today I took a long walk with Miriam-pushing her in her stroller. I was stopped several times by people to blow kisses at her, or wave to her, or tell me something (I-of course, had no idea what???) about her. The kids are getting used to strangers patting them on the head as they pass by. Or their favorite-getting candies by little old men, or balloons. Gerald even got reprimanded by an elderly woman when Miriam fell asleep in her stroller and her head was falling on her shoulder. I am so enjoying how children are prized possessions here. They take priority and it is clear that they are highly valued. I think that is so appropriate!

A Vacation For Me

Yesterday, Simon told me he thought I should take a nice vacation with the girls (just the girls). He suggested I take a cruise...to the Bahamas.
Wow, I must be a really good mom! Or my son really wants to get rid of me!!!

My New Addiction

No one ever told me something this good existed. It is pure almondy sugary heaven. I put it in everything and dip everything in it. If you come to visit, you will want to buy several jars to take home to friends. Or, hide it in a special place that you only know about so no one else can get into it.

Miriam's "Special" Sink

Story Hour

I have had a full week at home with sick kids. Simon has missed a whole week of school! We've read together, watched Spanish cartoons, played computer games, written out Proverbs, listened to stories on cd's-anything we can do to keep entertained in an 800 square foot home without going outside. Yesterday, as I was putting out the laundry-I overheard this conversation between Simon and Miriam:
Simon: "Miriam, you want to hear a story?"
Miriam: "A one about Sleeping Beauty."
Simon: "Okay. There once was a beautiful princess and an evil monster. He wanted to capture her and take her for prisoner. Then a knight-the other Kings son, tried to rescue her. He went through gnarly battles. But first he was in jail. There was a giant labyrinth. The princess got the key to give to the prince to fight the Menator. The prince said, I can't escape all these people, cause then he will escape to the giant labyrinth. Well-said the princess, let me just give you this little dagger, that will be of much help to you. So, they threw him in the labyrinth very early. He gulped. Looking this way and that-running like a horse. And then, he saw the BEAST. He had 5 horns on his head, and he had the eyes of a bull, but the teeth of the fiery death of hell. As he got closer to the beast, he noticed the body of the beast was exactly like a man. He tried to ram him with his tusk. There was blood, and he took out his dagger swung it at the beast, but the Menator knocked it out of his hand. Then he through mud in his eye and he killed him. And cut off his head.

Apparently, there was not enough "princess theme" in this story, because Miriam ended it apruptly.
Miriam: "In Jesus Name...Amen."

100% Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

We were so grateful to have my parents help as we moved and transitioned here. Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip! We miss you!

Our Cute Basque Girls

I Miss My Dryer

Do you know that it takes 4 days for one pair of jeans to line dry? 3 days for towels, 2 days for sheets. And this without rain.

All Moved In!

Here we have been in San Sebastian, Spain (Donostia) for nearly a month and so many good and difficult things have happened. The good things have been incredible gifts from God-the difficult things have been normal life being lived out by foreigners in a new land. We have purchased a car, we have put our kids in school, Gerald has begun language school, we moved into our apartment (piso)-which has exceded anything that I could have imagined (come and see!!!)! I long for a bit of stability and tranquility and I know that it is on the horizon. On Sunday, we moved effortlessly into our new place and our furniture came (well...at least half of it made it...) on Monday. Gerald and friends have been painstakingly putting this furniture (IKEA) together and it is coming along nicely. Our barren apartment is becoming a home. Our family has had a long trek of travel, adjustment, and changed long before arriving to the Basque Country. We feel we are finally home. We are tired, we are weary (bone-weary), but we are anticipating a new season filled with learning and growing and good things.
After being without internet or a phone or an address I am happy to announce that today we got all three!!! Now we are in full swing.
One thing...we seemed to have misplaced/lost our camera in the moved, so I don't have pictures to add. More to come!

Communication

This was a short conversation I had with Simon after school today:
Me: "Simon, did you learn any Spanish today?"
Simon: "No. But I think I am learning sign language."

A Whole Week of School

Today our kids finished their first week of school. They were totally immersed. The phrase Jillian secured under her belt was "no say" (meaning "I don't know") and"no intiendo" (meaning "I don't understand.") She also had mastered asking for the "toilettes." Simon on the other hand, was content knowing one word..."No." Which-when I asked him, he seemed to have used a lot this week.
I am completely baffled that each and everyday they came home from school they were NOT crying. In fact, they were SMILING! and LAUGHING! When I asked about their day-they said they LOVED IT! They couldn't wait to go back. God has been so gracious to us during this process. This had been one of my utmost concern.

Guess How Much?

For 6 measley pencils, 2 dinky erasers, and 2 plastic pencil sharpeners: Here in the San Sebastian...only 5.90-in euro's that is. Where is Target when you need it?

Have you checked out Simon's blog?

Check out Simons blog...see it on the right over there, yeah...right over there. it is under "connections" under "simon's blogging." You can't miss it. It is really cool. You should check it out.

The Fire

One night-around 3 am, I smelled smoke. In fact, smoke was filling our bedroom. I panicked, because earlier that day I had a crazy thought about what would happen to us (being on the 3rd floor and all) if there were to be a fire. I heard sirens and a crowd of people. With my heart racing, I jumped out of bed, preparing to gather my children and wake up the rest of the house. I looked out the window and saw the firefighters with their hoses spraying down the dumpsters right underneath our piso (apartment). I didn't see flames, just smoke. It seemed like they had everything under control. So, I quieted fears, climbed back into bed with the wafting smells of smoke and went back to sleep.
Later we found out that burnign dumpsters is an act of terrorism here. They do it as a protest. I hope that will be the extent of the protesting! :)

Settling In

We've been here nearly 2 weeks. Our journey has been filled with new experiences, trials, and great blessings. Our first week, we met several of our students from the summers past. It was so good to reconnect. They have so helpful to us as newcomers into their country.
We are so excited to report that we have a permanent place to live!! We get to move in on October 1. God provided a wonderful piso (apartment) right above a park. Every step of this finding was filled with His fingerprints. The kids will be starting school next week. I think Simon-our social guy, is longing for friendships. It has been so frusterating for him to not be able to communicate with the kids around him. I think school will help to quickly expediate the language, and give them some structure.
After October 1st, when we will have an internet connection in our home-I will be blogging and emailing more regularly. Currently, we have to work on the computer at a nearby cafe.

Cutie Pie in her new home!

Jillian says:

"I see people when I look out this window. They are walking and speaking Spanish and Basque. They are riding bikes, they are riding scooters, they are pushing strollers, they are driving cars. The kids are playing, and most of all the are having fun!"

Jillian enjoying the view from our flat

Jillian and I have been people watching like crazy! There is so much activity going on outside our window. It keeps us entertained for hours.

Hanging Laundry

We've made it! Our entry into this beautiful country has been so good. Here I am hanging laundry outside our flat. No dryer...talk about conservation!

Jenni and Igor

See Jillian in the back!

At Phoenix Airport - Saying Goodbye USA & Hello Basque

Headed out

Bags at the door

Almost at the door . . .

a last goodbye...the sign Jillian holds says Basque and the blue notebook Gerald is holding represents the ocean and Simon is holding the sign that says USA. ....all this to mean that we are crossing over (the big blue ocean) from one country we love to a new country we love.

And We Are Off!!!

Well, the day has finally arrived!!! Our bags are packed, and we are off to the Basque Country today! We are full of excitement and nerves. We said goodbye to the things we know: English, familiarity, our beds, the grocery store, our family, the kids trampoline, and so much more. We are getting ready to say hello to the things we do not know: Spanish, Euskera, directions, culture, shopping places, and so much more that we don't realize we didn't know!!! The next post I add will be in the Basque Country! A journey of 13 hours awaits us! We feel God's Peace. Thank You!
....and we are off!

First Class

My parents are flying with Simon and Miriam 2 days after Gerald, Jillian, and I. My mom is very bold. She likes to ask God for things...things I don't even dare to ask for. She has been telling the kids for weeks that she is asking God that they can fly first class, even though they already have their tickets. Their tickets are the cheapest you can get. I have cringed everytime she said it. I have told them each and everytime when they have gotten excited about it that there is NO WAY the airline would just GIVE first class to people..especially people with little kids.
Well, yesterday...I came home to a house of screams. Gleeful screams. Jillian announced as I walked thought the door that God answered Nana's prayers. She told me that they were all flying FIRST CLASS. I said...NO WAY. And then, I got the full story. As my parents were going over their tickets, they noticed the airline had scattered them and put my mom on the last row. When they called to get their seats adjusted and put together, there were no more seats available. Except row 5...First Class.
And this is the story of how my mom likes to ask God for BIG things, and how He often likes to give her them. Anybody have a prayer request?
And...one more thing. This morning, Simon's teacher emailed me to tell me that he told her how they would be flying First Class to Spain. He said his Grandma had been praying that God would give them First Class....and He did. And that is proof that God exists! :)
Needless to say...I had NOT been praying for First Class and Gerald, Jillian, and I will be flying coach. Jillian is a bit unhappy with me.

On our way!!!

Well...We are really going! Gerald and Jenni and Jillian have tickets to leave for San Sebastian on Sunday Sept. 9th. Jenni's parents will fly Miriam and Simon over on Sept. 13th!
We are so excited for this extraordinary opportunity. He is good!

What Simon Hates...

Yesterday, Simon came in from outside where he had been waiting for Gerald. He was patiently waiting for at least 20 seconds while Gerald who was on the phone-the cell phone. He found me getting dinner ready:
Simon (disgruntled): "Mom, let's examine the wickedness of cell phones."
Me (perplexed): "Oh, okay Simon. Let's examine them."
Simon: "Point Number 1: You don't have time to talk to your Father or Mother. Point Number 2: It wastes money and your time with your children. By the way mom...how much was our cell phone?"
Me (stifling laughter): "Um, considering we bought it like 5 years ago, Maybe 50 or 100 dollars????"
Simon (outraged and agahst): "100 dollars??? MOM!!! We could have used that money to move to the Basque Country."
Me (silent and ashamed.)
Simon: "There is only one good thing about cell phones....911. Emergencies. That's the only thing."

picture THIS!!! mundaka awaits...

picture this...

A family of 5 (2 adults, 3 children), 10 suitcases, 5 carry-ons, lots of noise, lots of plans, lots of emails, lots of phone calls, a house of 7+2, a temperature of 112 degrees, 2 weeks till take off!!!!!!!!!! No puedo esperar!

Little Sparrow

Lately, I've realized I am fascinated by tragic lives-people who had so much potential, so much going for them...and yet lost it all.

When I was in Jr. High I listened to The Carpenters, and I was nearly obsessed with them. So much so, that when I got in trouble with my parents, their way of punishing me was to take away my Carpenter tapes. And believe me, it was punishment!!! I was so moved by Karen Carpenters beautiful, haunting voice. She had everything, and then died by abusing her own body.

I've poured through every book and article about Anne Boleyn. She stole the King's heart, had influence in changing the religion of England, and yet she was beheaded by her own husband.

Most recently, I have been moved by a "Little Sparrow"-(check out this link to see a new movie about her life) Edith Piaf. They said her voice was the soul of Paris. And her life was just as tragic as the above mentioned.

Sometimes, when I am lying awake at night in bed, I am reminded of a beautiful gift I have been given. It is a gift that I often take for granted and am so accustomed to that I don't remember what it is like to not have. It is peace. The life that Jesus lead teaches me how to live. His way is perfect and right. He was filled with compassion and mercy and truth. And then, He gave Himself up for me...for us all.

I am filled through with an undescribable, soul-satisfying peace. And it is because of Him.

simon's first day of soccer

simons says . . .

soccer is nice. . . because it's so much fun and etertaining.

this picture is about me when I was the goalie. it was so much fun blocking the soccer ball.

Table Talk

Miriam has the kissiest lips. Sometimes, when she is talking to me, I am overcome by a strong need to be kissed by those little rosy lips. She is used to me suddenly and without warning, demanding she place those little things right on mine! She is always happy to oblige, and I am pacified for the time being.
The other day, the kids and I were sitting around the table when I got the urge. After we exchanged kisses, it sparked a thought, and then a conversation with the kids about our upcoming life in the Basque Country:
Jillian- You better get used to it Miriam. That is how we are going to kiss in the Basque Country. Every day. Well, maybe.
Simon-And play soccer. You have to be good to play soccer. Sweet!
Jillian-And we get to have cookies and milk for breakfast EVERY day! (it is typical to eat a "biscuit like" cookie with a cup of milk in the morning-we've told the kids this.)
Jillian- And we get to come home for lunch everyday.
Simon- And stay up LATE everynight. Till like eight o'clock.
Jillian- It's the goodest of goods!
Me (Jenni)-It's going to be awesome!
Kissy Lips- Yeah

An Interview with the Griffin Kids (inspired by elisabeth and candace)

SIMON
1. "If you could have any other name, what would it be?" Simon, but spelled differently....S.I.M.E.N.
2. "Who is a favorite friend?" hmm...that's a hard one. It's Dylan. Wait, Oryan. Actually, both of them, yeah. And Zane.
3. "Favorite game to play?" video games
4. "Favorite color?" orange, I mean...black and white
5. "Favorite food?" sushi
6. "Favorite book?" Narnia..all 7
7. "Who do you love the most?" uh, daddy. well...daddy and mommy. :)
8. "Favorite Bible character?" Jonah
9. "Favorite place to go?" Chuck E. Cheese
10. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" Okay...well, scared, mad, and a little strange too.

JILLIAN
1. "If you could have a different name, what would it be?" Hannah Banana....maybe, well...probably-Heather. Okay, um, it might actually be Laila-maybe, maybe Laila.
2. "Who is a favorite friend to play with?" Okay, um...it is probably, maybe Madeline. Probably Madeline.
3. "Favorite game?" Okay, that ones probably um...maybe Little Pet Shops. Maybe.
4. "Favorite color?" pink. that one's easy. Pink. And light blue.
5. "Favorite food?" Oooh! Okay, mac n cheese, pancakes, waffles, and probably Salmon. Probably. And I think peaches...well I THINK peaches. And I think nectarines.
6. "Favorite book?" Hmm...it might be the book you were just reading to us about Abraham Lincoln. I think that...well, I might not think that, but it MIGHT be my favorite book.
7. "Favorite movie?" Well, maybe...it's probably High School Musical. Probably. I am not saying it IS, but probably.
8. "Who do you love the most?" Well, thats probably easy. I think it is you.
9. "Favorite Bible character?" You know..I think my favorite bible story is...it might be about the rich king, at least I think he's a king...and he dies and goes to hell. And the poor man goes to heaven and he is so happy and so thankful for the little bit that he has.
10. "Favorite place to go?" Desert Ridge Marriot. Or...well....playland, or pretendland. It is probably everywhere, when you pretend you are somebod and your whole body shrinks into your head. Well, it might do that. Well, maybe you can pretend you are a real person and pretend a real world.
And probably the waterpark where we went today.
11. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" Oh, you know that. I feel...like scared, and sad. Or maybe none of these or maybe just one. Or both. Or maybe happy. Probably not happy.

MIRIAM
1. "If you could have another name what would it be?" Minnie Mouse
2."Who is your favorite person to play with?" Banna (her cousin Ivanna)
3. "What is your favorite game to play?" Cinderella
4. "Favorite food?" Chocolate
5. "Favorite book?" Cinderella
6. "Favorite movie?" Cinderella
7. "Who do you love the most?" Jillian
8. "Favorite bible character?" Moses
9."Favorite place to go?" Church
10. "How do you feel about moving to the Basque Country?" I feel about moving...mommy can you turn the light off now?

Part of our "training" this summmer was white water rafting in CO. At first Jenni was mad at me for making her go...but that didn't last long.

We are at Bear Trap Ranch in Colorado for 5 weeks of cross cultural trianing. This is the veiw off the porch of our "little cabin in the woods."

Jillian's hanging on for her first horse ride.

Greeting "Cowboy" before the kids go for a ride.

Riding the bull!

Miriam on her first horse ride.

Simon is loving playing in the outdoors.

My sweet Jillian.

Luckiest man alive!

Poppy and Simon in a rousing game of monopoly. Simon assured my dad that "it's not about winning."

Happy 30th Birthday Jenni!!!

Birthday cupcakes are awesome!!!

Simon's hat doubles as a plate...

Grand Canyon Trip: Michael, Gerald, Simon, and Nepali friends.

The Probasco's and Griffin's in Coronado

Friends since Jr. High. Congrats to the Frasers!

Simon and Gerald surfing in San Diego!

Simon enjoys a nice ride!

A pirate and his girls.

Skater girl.