Thailand week one

We are almost through week one of our time in Thailand. We made it here fairly smoothly last Saturday night and have been conferencing with lots of people in a nice hotel. The first few days were very tiring...Chris is leading music for the entire conference, which is a huge job. And I had committed months ago to help with registering people from our area. So the first two days were a blur of Chris and I juggling children and responsibilities, with some help from good friends. We both were up till 1 am the second night doing work, but then my work ended. I have not gotten to see a lot of Chris- he sometime returns at 11 or 12 pm and is up and gone by 6:30 in the morning. But he and his band are doing an EXCELLENT job leading worship. The music sounds great and I have gotten so many compliments on it for them. I am really proud of Chris and it is fun to see him be able to use his gifts to bless a LOT of people.

The boys are also doing pretty well. We have managed to stay healthy so far, despite a nasty stomach bug that is going around. PLEASE pray we stay healthy and do not get it. Throwing up children in a hotel room with no laundry room can be a nightmare. And Chris needs to stay well with his responsibilities. There is childcare every day and they have gone every morning and one evening. Austin really likes it- they are learning about the 10 Commandments, do fun crafts, go outside and eat yummy snacks from America like marshmallows and granola bars. Bennett has done fine too, though today he did cry when I dropped him off. I think he would have been fine except that almost every single kid in his class was crying when I dropped him off and I think it was really overwhelming. But when I picked him up he was very happy and came running saying "I played toys! I had a good time!" so I think he recovered fine.

It has been really fun to connect with old friends, of whom there are many here. Time is too short though to hang out with everyone I would like to. With Chris so busy a lot of meal and free times I am on my own with the kids but thankful for others' help. I know I will enjoy the last day tomorrow, but I am also looking forward to vacation which will start Saturday. We will take a mini-bus on a 4 hour drive to our resort, where a lot of other families' we know will be vacationing. Pray we stay healthy!

Warm weather ahead

Well, Chris just got home and informed me that it is 18 degrees F outside. I attempted to take both boys out for much needed haircuts this afternoon. We got out our door, down the steps and on the sidewalk outside the apartment. Then both boys began screaming because it was cold and the wind was blowing really hard. I decided that neither trying to walk with both of them to either our front gate and hope a cab or electric bike taxi was going by nor walking with both of them out the back gate and over the steep hill and railroad tracks to have a more sure bet of transportation seemed worth it. So we turned around and headed back home, with a very disappointed Austin. I assured him it wasn't a punishment for his screaming, but just was not worth it. I don't think he could quite comprehend this, but we did not go back out. So, Thailand here we come! The boys might have shaggy hair, but we are ready for some warmth. We leave tomorrow and are back at the very end of the month- a combo of work and play, but lots to look forward to, especially wearing just shorts and t-shirts after having to dress my kids in at least 2 or 3 layers every day. Bennett will be especially happy because he seems to hate both cold and layers of clothes more than anyone else.

I will try to keep blogging, but not sure what kind of internet access I will have. I am sure you will get some updates, but maybe not so many photos. But to make up for that I am showing some video of Austin and Bennett singing Christmas songs in Chinese. Bennett was not to be outdone and after I videoed Austin singing songs he learned at school, Bennett wanted to sing too. He knows them almost as well as Austin since he hears Austin sing them multiple times a day (still in the middle of January). Here they are singing "Away in a Manger" in Chinese.

I like fish

We are slowly emerging from the black hole of 10 days of sickness. Ugh. We all had some form of this nasty cold, that came with aches, coughing and fever for some. As that was clearing up, I (and Chris to a lesser degree) got a stomach bug that seemed unrelated. But we are on the mend. I am feeling back to normal and so is Chris for the most part. Austin had it easy compared to the rest of us and is still coughing a bit but mostly fine. Bennett is much better, still with a little cough and runny nose but finally seemed his normal self today and took a great nap this afternoon.

So here is a funny story from before we got sick. Bennett is very sweet most of the time, but he has a very stubborn side that is starting to emerge more and more as he is 2. He has become a very picky eater and we have had many battles but this one is the winner. The other night I had made tilapia (fish) for dinner. I knew the boys would probably not love it, but I wanted them to try it. Austin made a good effort and ended up eating most of what was on his plate. Bennett ate all his sweet potato and nothing else. I was not going to force him to clean his plate, but I wanted to him to try the fish- I think trying new foods is a good habit to be in. Well, he refused to even try one bite. So he was excused but told he would have only his plate for breakfast if he would not try one bite. So we served it for breakfast and - predictably- he still refused it and yelled and screamed for some yogurt and granola. Lunch time rolls around- same thing. He was getting very crabby at this point (you can imagine how hungry he was) but very stubborn. I finally said if he would take just one bite, he could have a sandwich. But no. Then he was screaming and being very disrespectful and was put in time out. I said when he was ready to take one bite he could come out. He would scream "No, no eat fish" very defiantly, so he went straight to nap. Cried awhile but would not agree to try it. So now it was almost 4 o'clock and he got up from nap. He was crying for crackers, a sandwich, something. Again he sat in front of his plate, crying and starting to try to take bites and then upon seeing that fork near his mouth, would scream and refuse. I was beginning to wonder when it would become too cruel to continue, but I did not want to lose this battle of authority.

Well, suddenly he grabbed the fork and stuffed it in his mouth! Yeah, I thought, he finally tried it. I praised him over and over and then he said "mmm, yummy fish. I want more". What? I don't know if he was so consumed with hunger or he really liked it, but he then proceeded to eat all the fish on his plate in record time, continuing to say "mmm, yummy". I felt quite vindicated and glad I held my ground. He not only obeyed but learned sometimes it really is yummy.The rest of the day he kept saying "I ate fish. Made a good choice" over and over again.

Here he is moments after eating the first bite...he surprised us all.

We have had a few battles since, but in the end he fairly quickly will at least try something now. Whew, it was hard work though. I think this boy is going to give us many times to test our authority and push boundaries as he gets older. I love him though! He is currently pushing boundaries of getting out of bed and starting to learn how to push his older brother's buttons and annoy him. Always interesting. I am reading a book called "Creative Correction" though and it is giving me lots of new ideas for both these little guys, who seem to be determined to do things their own way lately.

Sickkos

Something has been going around and three out of four of us have it. Our neighbors have been sick, kids at school have been sick so it seems inevitable. I am thankful though that it has been almost 2 months (2 winter months at that) that our whole family had been healthy, so I guess it is about time. Chris, Bennett and I have colds- starting with achiness and chills and a cough. Chris got it first, though thankfully felt better yesterday for his concert and was able to sing, but now is feeling bad again. Bennett and I both got worse thoughout the day yesterday and I slept till 10 am this morning! Can't remember the last time I did that but I am pretty sure it has been years. Poor Bennett always seems to get it the worst and has been coughing, but already took one nap today and is on his second nap. So, not much of an exciting post today, but that is our status. Hopefully we will get our sickness over with now and be healthy for our travel in 2 weeks!