Life On Hold

I haven't updated the blog for a bit because we've had a house full of sickies. In our little apartment, we have had 9 people living in it for the past two weeks. 7 out of the 9 have been sick. 3 out of the 9 have been REALLY sick. Like-stay in bed for days sick. Half of our team has now gone home after a week and a half of classroom presentations, reunions, and parent meetings. We have one more day of presentations to go (Chris and Megan and my parents!!! will do this one in France) and one more parent meeting left. I'll post some pictures later.

A Little Something Cute

Miriam to my mom: "I used to be Cinderella for a long time, but now I am turning into Sleeping Beauty."

Simon At Tamborrada

This is is the day of Donostia (San Sebastian). Incredibly, tonight (Saturday) the city is alive with thousands of drumbeaters. At 12:30 a.m. a drum procession (complete with fireworks) begins and does not stop...that's right....does not stop until 24 hours later! All through the night and then through the day the city is alive and loud! Unfortunately, our little guy is in bed sick, so we can't join in the festivities. But, we will definently HEAR the party goers! :)

Here is a picture of Simon during their school celebration of Tamborrada. He is the cutest drummer i've ever seen!

Class Time

A Busy Week

Up to date, there have been 30 classroom presentations given. The hours have been long, voices are sore, but we are excited and are hoping for a great summer with lots of students!!!

Our Friends Are Here!!!

"The Guys" in a game of Uno.

Please pray for Iban!

Iban is a student from the Basque Country that stayed in Portland last summer with our program. He had a serious ingury to his head while skiiing over Christmas break. Thankfully he came out of a coma and now is speaking, recognized his parents, and is moving his body parts. Please pray with us for this young man's complete recovery! Please pray for his family as they have been in suspense for several weeks now. We are thankful for his recovery so far and know that God will use this for good. Thanks for praying with us for Iban.

Kirstie and Mia

This is Miriam's little friend-she is the "other Mimi." She is french and Miriam always calls her "my little french friend."

Miriam with Ane For Her Birthday

My Baby Turns 3!

We just finished off the last of the birthday celebrations. This time...it was Miriam's. She cried a bit the night before because she wasn't sure if she'd still be "Miwium" in the morning, since she wouldn't be 2 anymore. I assured her that she would indeed be my sweet Miriam!

She had "Happy Birthday" sung to her in 4 different languages: Basque, Spanish, English, and French! She even got to celebrate it in two countries: The Basque Country (spain) and France! This is the kind of thing my sister loves!!! Eat your heart out Candace! :)

And Happy Birthday to the little queenie!

My mom was able to make it here in time for Miriam's birthday. We are all so glad to have her! We took a walk the other day and I just wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

The next few weeks are incredibly busy times for the foundation work for "Summer in the USA." Already Gerald and I have visited 4 classes to give a lesson on geography, life for a teenager in the USA, and a bit of information on options for learning more english. One-of course, includes coming to live with a family (immersion) for 4 weeks in the summer (summerintheusa.com) This year our program will operate in 3 states: Oregon, Washington, and Indiana.

Tomorrow Megan and Chris (our teammates) come and my dad comes the following day. Party! :) In the next two weeks we will be in schools in Onati, Bergara, Donostia, Bayonne, and Biarritz. This time is crazy, but lots of fun.

Mi Madre Esta Aqui!

Birthday Clowns

Our Little Boy Turns 8!

I can hardly believe we have an 8 year old! For Simon's birthday we took his two friends (Inaki and Aidan) to a kids center of sorts. They had a blast jumping, running, and raging! After that we brought the troops home for lunch and cake. Maybe we were crazy...but we decided to make it a sleepover. Try getting three 7 and 8 year olds quieted down and ready to sleep...nearly impossible! They giggled and giggled until 12 am! In the morning we made pancakes-which Inaki had never tried. "Riquisimo!" he exclaimed and wanted more! :) It was a birthday Simon will never forget!

Our First Guest

We were so glad to show our good friend Todd around. We had a great time!

A Busy Season

Our first Christmas in Donosti (San Sebastian) was filled with lots of activities and lots of new things. We must admit that it was a bit lonely, though, and hope that next year we will have family here to celebrate with us. On Christmas Eve we journeyed with some friends to Pamplona (this is the city where they have the famous "running of the bulls.") We were also able to take a coffee in the cafe where Ernest Hemingway would hang out. On Christmas Day, we enjoyed celebrating the birth of the Saviour together with our family, and after enjoyed a fabulous lunch with friends. Our friend Todd came for New Years Eve. It felt so good to have fellowship with our friend who has known us for 14 years. We loved showing him around "our" city. My stomache is still a bit sore from all the laughing! We also have wrapped up 2 of the three kids birthdays. Simon's is January 4 and Miriam's is the 12th. And now we look forward to this New Year with thanksgiving at God's gracious provisions and abundant blessings. We are daily grateful for the Hope that He gives us and His constant presence.

I Have Taken Up Smoking

Actually-our entire family has. Now, mind you, we don't actually smoke cigarettes. We are just inhaling the second-hand smoke all around us. In my 30 years, I have never smoked a cigarette, but in the past 4 months, I've made up for a lifetime of abstinence. I noticed it a lot in the beginning. I'd go to get a cup of coffee and everyone all around me was lighting up. I'd walk by a group of people and into a big cloud of smoke, hold my breath for as long as possible, and gasp for fresh air on the other end. I'd be enjoying a nice meal with my family and before I know it-the taste of smoke permeated my mouth. The funny thing is, now I don't mind so much, and I hardly even notice. I have to just imagine now that smoke is actually good for me and my children and that it is really beneficial for our health. Cheers!

Nine Years Young...

I can't believe Jenni and I have been married for 9 years! Well, I guess since Simon just turned eight it shouldn't be that surprising! For our anniversary this year went out to a great Italian dinner and enjoyed every bite. I think the best part of our marriage has been the fun. I have alot of fun with Jenni (look at the smiles in the picture). Just tonight at dinner the whole family was laughing together. That is always good. And there is alot of forgivness. I once heard that forgivness is the key to marriage-to forgive even in the midst of being wronged, to always think the best of the other, not to keep a record of wrongs. Jenni gets to practice forgivness alot with me. But maybe the best part is really our friendship. I love that Jenni my best friend. And she is super hot too!

Happy New Year! Be Blessed!

In this new year my hope is that you are truly blessed. Long ago, God taught His leaders how to bless their people. This is what he told them to say:

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

May God's face shine upon you this year!

Thank You and Thank You

In the Basque Country, us newcomers (and monoliguists) have it a bit difficult. The people here operate in two languages-Euskara and Spanish. The first being the preferred but most difficult choice. For now we are focusing on learning Spanish, however, trying to be mindful to use the little Basque that we do know-first.
The other day as we were leaving la fruiteria (can you guess?-fruit store) Gerald invented a new way of saying "thank you".
-Eskerrik Asko is how you say "thank you" in Basque.
-Gracias is how you say "thank you" in spanish.
-Eskerrikacias is how Gerald says "thank you" in both languages at the same time.

*I don't recommend you try it. You might get a strange look.